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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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^      MP 


CIHM/ICIVIH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


□ 

□ 

0i 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur6e  et/ou  pellicul^e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 


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Ercre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


□    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
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□ 
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□    Pages  damaged/ 
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iM  Pi 


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□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

[""^Showthrough/ 
\J^  Transparence 

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Qualit^  in^gale  de  I'impression 

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Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

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E 


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D 


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Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

1 

y 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
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publiques  du  Canada 


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filmage. 


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sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimis  sont  film6s  en  commenpant 
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dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
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premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END  "), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  ^*>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


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beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reprodult  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1  2  3 


i    t 

2 

3 

r 

1    ,    4      : 

i 

6 

»  • 


N^ 


THE 


Piiblicattons  of  tbe  \M\m  ^otittv 


Elbblilhed  May  25th,  1858. 


Champlain's  Voyages. 


»   ^ 


'i 


i 


Boston: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  SOCIETY, 

Bv  John  Wilson  and  Son. 

1882. 


TWO   la-NUREO  AND   FlUY  COl'lES. 


VOYAGES 


OP 


Samuel   de  Champlain. 


TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  FRENCH 


By  CHARLES  POMEROY  OTIS,  Ph.D. 


WITH    HISTORICAL    ILLUSTRATIONS, 

AND  A 


MEMOIR 


By  THE  REV.  EDMUND  F.  SLAFTER,  A.M. 


Vol.  III. 
1611-1618. 

HEUOTVPK   COPIKS    OF   TF.N    MAPS    AND    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Bositon: 

PUBLISHED    BY    THE    PRINCE    SOCIETY. 

1882. 


1 


*.-iwt*»  wiiim  itiiwn.1 


iiiiiiirrrrfi'iii'ffiMiii-inti 


IHH 


Entered  accoidinf;  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1881,  by 

EDMUND   F,   SLAFTKR, 

In  the  Oflice  of  tlie  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 

Vr5 


EUitor: 

Thb  rev.  EDMUND   F.  SLAFTER,  A.M. 


■   T 

f 

i 


PREFACE. 


HE  prefent  volume  completes  the  work  propofcd 
by  the  Prince  Society  of  a  tranflation  into  Eng- 
lifli  of  the  Voyages  of  Ciiamplain.  It  includes 
the  journals  iffued  in  1604,  161 3,  and  1619,  and 
covers  fifteen  years  of  his  refid'ince  and  explorations  in 
New  France. 

At  a  later  period,  in  1632,  Champlain  publifhed,  in  a  fmglc 
volume,  an  abridgment  of  the  irfue:>  above  mentioned,  con- 
taining likewiie  a  continuation  of  his  journal  down  to  1631. 
This  continuation  covers  thirteen  additional  years.  But  it 
is  to  be  obfcrved  that  the  events  recorded  in  the  journal  of 
thefe  later  years  are  immediately  connecfled  with  the  progrefs 
and  local  interefts  of  the  French  colony  at  Quebec.  This 
lad  work  of  the  great  explorer  is  of  primary  importance  and 
value  as  conftituting  original  material  f(^r  the  early  hiftory 
of  Canada,  and  a  tranflation  of  it  into  Endifli  would  doubt- 
lefs  be  highly  appreciated  by  the  local  hifforian.  A  com- 
plete narrative  of  thefe  events,  however,  together  with  a  large 

amount 


VI 


Preface, 


amount  of  intcrcfling  matter  relating  to  the  career  of  Cham- 
plain  derived  from  other  Iburces.  is  given  in  the  Memoir 
contained  in  the  firft  volume  of  this  work. 

This  Knglifh  tranflation  contains  not  only  the  complete 
narratives  of  all  the  perfonal  explorations  made  by  Cham- 
plain  into  the  then  unbroken  forefts  of  America,  but  the 
whole  of  his  minute,  ample,  and  invaluable  dcfcriptions  of 
the  charader  and  habits,  mental,  moral,  and  phyfical,  of  the 
various  lavage  tribes  with  which  he  came  in  contaft.  It  will 
furnilh,  therefore,  to  the  Undent  of  hiftory  and  the  fludcnt 
of  ethnology  mofl  valuable  information,  unfurpaffed  in  rich- 
nefs  and  extent,  and  which  cannot  be  obtained  from  any 
other  fource.  To  aid  one  or  both  of  thefe  two  claffes  in 
their  inveftigations,  the  work  was  undertaken  and  has  now 
been  completed. 


K.  F.  S. 


Boston,  91  Boylston  Street, 
April  5,  1882. 


^0- 


TABLE     OF     CONTENTS. 


Preface ^'^''''; 

V— vi 

Voyage  of  Champlaiv  in  r6ii 

Dedication  to  Henri  de  Bourbon,  Prince  de  Conde      .'     .'        "L 
Voyage  made  in  i6m  . 

r.  "^  43-S7 

Dedication  to  the  King 

Champlain's  Preface ^'"^"^ 

Extract  from  the  License  of  the  King     ....."."  ^^ 

Voyage  made  in  1611;.                                                 ....  97 

,,                                 ^       99-188 

Voyage  made  in  1618 ^ 

Explanation  of  Two  Gkographical  Maps  of  New  France*  2. 9lL'8 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Le  Grand  Sault  St.  Louis 

,.  •     .         ,g 

Dress  of  the  Savages     . 

r.  116 

roRT  of  the  Iroquois 

Deer  Trap ^^^ 

Dress  of  the  Savages •     •    •     ■  ^9 

Champlain's  Large  Map  of  New  France,  1612    .     .".*'"  l^l 

Champlain's  Small  Map  of  New  France,  ,613    .    .    .     .    !  2x8 


Index 


231 


THE    VOYAGES 

OF    SIEUR    DE    CHAMPLAIN, 

Of  Saintongc,  Captain  in  ordinary  to  the 
King  in  the  Marine ; 

OK, 

A  MOST  FATTHFVL  JOL'RXAL  OF  OBSERVATrOXS 
made  in  the  exploration  tf  New  Frauee,  describing  not  only  the 
countries,  coasts,  rivrrs,  ports,  and  harbors,  zvith  their  latitudes, 
and  the  various  deflections  of  the  Magnetic  Neidle,  but  likewise  the 
reli^^ious  belief  of  the  inhabitants,  their  superstitions,  mode  of  life 
and  ivarfare ;  furnished  ivith  numerous  illustrations. 

Together  with  two  geographical  maps  :  the  first  for  the  purposes  of 
navigation,  adapted  to  the  compass  as  used  by  mariners,  which 
deflects  to  the  north-east  ;  the  other  in  i»s  true  meridian,  with 
longitudes  and  latitudes,  to  which  is  added  the  Voyage  to  the 
Strait  north  of  Labrador,  from  the  53d  to  the  63d  degree  of  lati- 
tude, discovered  in  161 2  by  the  English  when  they  were  searching 
for  a  northerly  course  to  China. 


PARIS. 

Jean  Berjon,  Rue  St.  Jean  de  Beauvais,  at  the  Flying  Horse, 
and  at  his  store  in  the  Palace,  at  the  gallery 
of  the  Prisoners. 


M.    DC.    XIII. 
WITH   AUTHORITY   OF    THE    KING. 


THIRD    VOYAGE 


OF 


SIEUR     DE     CHAMPLAIN, 


IN    THE    YEAR    1611. 


CHAPTER   I. 

Departure  from  France  to  return  to  New  France.  -  Thf  Dangers 
AND  other  Events  which  occurreu  up  to  the  Time  of  Arriv'-vl  at 
the  Settlement.  ^ivai^at 

E  fet  out  from  Honfleuron  the  firft  day  of  March. 
The  wind  was  favorable  until  the  citrhth,  when 
we  were  oppofed  by  a  wind  fouth-fouthweft  and 
well-northweft,  driving  us  as  far  as  latitude  40° 
/'thout  our  being  able  to  make  a  fouthing,  fo 
as   to   fail   llra.ght   forward   on  our    courfe.      Accordingly 
after  encountering  feveral  heavy  winds,  and  bein^r  kept  b^^k 
by  bad  weather,  we  neverthelefs,  through  great  difficulty  and 
hardfliip,  and  by  failing  on  different  tacks,  fucceeded  in  ar- 
riving  witlun  eighty  leagues  of  the  Grand  Bank,  where  the 
frefli  fifliery  is  carried  on.     Here  we  encountered  ice  thirty 
or  forty  fathoms   high,  or  more,  which   led   us  to  confider 
what  courfe  we  ought  to  take,  fearing  that  w^e  might  fall  in 

with 


2  Voyages  of 

with  more  during  the  night,  or  that  the  wind  changing  would 
drive  us  on  to  it.  We  alfo  concluded  that  this  woula  not  be 
the  lafl,  fince  we  had  fet  out  from  France  too  early  in  the  fca- 
fon.  We  failed  accordingly  during  that  day  with  fliort  fail, 
as  near  the  wind  as  we  could.  When  night  came,  the  fog 
arofe  fo  thick  and  obfcure  that  we  could  fcarcely  fee  the 
fhip's  length.  About  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  more  ice  was 
feen,  which  alarmed  us.  But  through  the  energy  of  the  fail- 
ors  we  avoided  it.  Suppofmg  that  we  had  pafled  all  danger, 
we  met  with  ftill  more  ice,  which  the  failors  faw  ahead  of  our 
veffel,  but  not  until  we  were  almoft  upon  it.  When  all  had 
committed  themfelves  to  God,  having  given  up  all  hope  of 
avoiding  collifion  with  this  ice.  which  was  already  under  our 
bowfprit,  they  cried  to  the  hclmfman  to  bear  off;  and  this  ice 
which  was  very  extenfive  drove  in  fuch  a  manner  that  it  paffed 
by  without  flriking  our  veffel,  which  flopped  fliort,  and  re- 
mained as  ftill  as  if  it  had  never  moved,  to  let  it  pafs.  Although 
the  danger  was  over,  our  blood  was  not  fo  quickly  cooled,  fo 
great  had  been  our  fear,  and  wc  praifed  God  for  delivering 
us  from  fo  imminent  a  peril.  This  experience  being  over,  we 
paffed  the  fame  night  two  or  three  other  maffes  of  ice,  not 
lefs  dano-erous  than  the  former  ones.  There  was  at  the  fame 
time  a  dripping  fog,  and  it  was  fo  cold  that  we  could  fcarcely 
get  warm.  The  next  day  we  met  feveral  other  large  and 
very  high  maffes  of  ice,  which,  in  the  diflance,  looked  like 
iflands.  We,  however,  avoided  them  all,  and  reached  the 
Grand  Bank,  where  we  were  detained  by  bad  weather  for  the 
fpace  of  fix  days.  The  wind  growing  a  little  milder,  and 
very  favorable,  we  left  the  banks  in  latitude  44°  30',  which 
V  as  the  farthefl  fouth  we  could  go.     After  failing  fome  fixty 

leagues 


Sieur  de  Champlain, 


leagues  weft-northwea,  we  faw  a  vcffcl  coming  down  to  make 
us  out,  but  wliich  afterwards  wore  off  to  tlic  eaft-northeafl,  to 
avoid  a  large  bank  of  ice,  which  covered  the  entire  extent  of 
our  line  of  vifion.     Concluding  that  there   was   a   paflage 
through  the  middle  of  this  great  floe,  which  was  divided  into 
two  parts,  we  entered,  in  purfuance  of  our  courfe,  between 
the  two,  and  failed  fome  ten  leagues  without  feeing  anything, 
contrary  to  our  conjecture  of  a  fine  paflage  through,  untH 
evening,  when  we  found  the  floe  clofed  up.     This  gave  us 
much  anxiety  as  to  what  was  to  be  done,  the  night  being  at 
hand  and  there   being   no  moon,  which  deprived  us  of'' all 
means  of  returning  to  the  point  whence  we  had  come.    Yet, 
after  due  deliberation,  it  was  refolved  to  try  to  find  again  the 
entrance  by  which  we  had  come,  which  we  fet  about  accom- 
plifliing.     But  the  night  coming  on  with  fog,  rain,  fnow,  and 
a  wind  fo  violent  that  we  could  fcarcely  carry  our  mainfail, 
every  trace  of  our  way  was  loft.     For,  as  we  were  expeding 
to  avoid  the  ice  fo  as  to  pafs  out,  the  wind  had  already  clofed 
up  the  paffage,  fo  that  we  were  obliged  to  return  to  the 
other  tack.     We  were  unable  to  remain  longer  than  a  quar- 
ter  of  an  hour  on  one  tack  before  taking  anodier,  in  order  to 
avoid  the  numerous  maffes  of  ice  drifting  about  on  all  fides. 
We  thought  more  than  twenty  times  that  we  should  never 
efcape  with  our  lives.     The  entire  night  was  fpent  amid  dif- 
ficulties and  hardfliips.     Never  was  the  watch  better  kept, 
for  nobody  wiflied  to  refi,  but  to  ftrive  to  efcape  from  the 
ice  and  danger.     The  cold  was  fo  great,  that  all  the  ropes  of 
the  veffel  were  fo  frozen  and  covered  with  large  icicles  that 
the  men  could  not  work  her  nor  f^ick  to  the  deck.     Thus 
we  ran,  on  this  tack  and  that,  awaiting  with  hope  the  day- 

light. 


r 

t 

li 


I 


4  Voyages  of 

light.  But  when  it  came,  attended  by  a  fog,  and  we  faw  that 
our  labor  and  hardfliip  could  not  avail  us  anything,  we  deter- 
mined to  go  to  a  mafs  of  ice,  where  we  Hiould  be  flieltercd 
from  the  violent  wind  which  was  blowing  ;  to  haul  everything 
down,  and  allow  ourfclvcs  to  be  driven  along  with  the  ice, 
fo  that  when  at  fome  diftance  from  the  reft  of  the  ice  we 
could  make  fail  again,  and  go  back  to  the  above-mentioned 
bank  and  manage  as  before,  until  the  fog  fliould  pafs  away, 
when  we  might  go  out  as  quickly  as  poffible.  Thus  we  con- 
tinued the  entire  day  until  the  morning  of  the  next  day, 
when  we  fet  fail,  now  on  this  tack  now  on  that,  finding  our- 
felves  everywhere  enclofed  amid  large  floes  of  ice,  as  if  in 
lakes  on  the  mainland.  At  evening  we  fighted  a  veffel  on  the 
other  fide  of  one  of  thefe  banks  of  ice,  which,  I  am  fure,  was 
in  no  lefs  anxiety  than  ourfelves.  Thus  we  remained  four 
or  five  days,  expofed  to  thefe  rifles  and  extreme  hardOiips, 
until  one  morning  on  looking  out  in  all  directions,  although 
we  could  fee  no  opening,  yet  in  one  place  it  feemed  as  if  the 
ice  was  not  thick,  and  that  we  could  eafily  pafs  through. 
We  got  under  weigh,  and  paffed  by  a  large  number  of  bour- 
guignons ;  that  is,  pieces  of  ice  feparated  from  the  large  banks 
by  the  violence  of  the  winds.  Having  reached  this  bank  of 
ice,  the  failors  proceeded  to  provide  themfelves  with  large 
oars  and  pieces  of  wood,  in  order  to  keep  off  the  blocks  of 
ice  we  met.  In  this  way  we  paffed  this  bank,  but  not  with- 
out touching  fome  pieces  of  ice,  which  did  no  good  to  our 
veffel,  although  they  inflidled  no  effential  damage.  Being 
outfide,  we  praifed  God  for  our  deliverance.  Continuing  our 
courfe  on  the  next  day,  we  encountered  other  pieces,  in 
which  we  became  fo  involved  that  we  found  ourfelves  fur- 
rounded 


Sieur  de  Chainplain, 


rounded  on  all  fides,  except  where  we  had  entered.     It  was 
accordingly  neceffary  to  turn  back,  and  endeavor  to  double 
the  fouthern  point.     This  we  did  not  fucceed  in  doing  until 
the  fccond  day,  paffing  by  feveral  fmall  pieces  of  ice,\'hich 
had  been  feparated  from  the  main  bank.    This  latter  was  in 
latitude  44°  30'.     We  failed   until  the  morning  of  the  next 
day,  towards  the  northwell,  north-northweft,  when  we  met 
another  large  ice  bank,  extending  as  far  as  we  could  fee  eafl 
and  weft.     This,  in  the  diftance,  fecmed  like  land,  for  it  was 
fo  level  that  it  might  properly  be  faid  to  have  been  made  fo 
on  purpofe.    It  was  more  than  eighteen  feet  high,  extcndincr 
twice  as  far  under  water.     We  calculated  that  we  were  only 
fome  fifteen  leagues  from  Cape  Breton,  it  being  the  26th 
day  of  the  month.      Thefe  numerous  encounters  with  ice 
troubled  us  greatly.     We  were  alfo  fearful  that  the  paffaae 
between  Capes  Breton  and  Raye  would  be  clofed,  and  th'^t 
we  fliould  be  obliged  to  keep  out  to  fea  a  long  time  before 
bemg  able  to  enter.     Unable  to  do  anything  elfe,  we  were 
obliged  to  run  out  to  fea  again  fome  four  or  five  leagues,  in 
order  to  double  another  point  of  the  above-mentioned  grand 
ice   bank,  which   continued   on  our  weft-fouthweft.     After 
turning  on  the  other  tack  to  the  northweft,  in  order  to  double 
this  point,  we  failed  some  feven  leagues,  and  then  fleered  to 
the  north-northweft  fome  three  leagues,  when  we  obferved 
another  ice  bank.     The  night  approached,  and  the  fog  came 
on  fo  that  we  put  to  fea  to  pafs  the  remainder  of  the  night, 
purpofing   at   daybreak  to  return  and  reconnoitre  the  lafl 
mentioned  ice.    On  the  twenty-feventh  day  of  the  month,  we 
lighted  land  weft-northweft  of  us,  feeing  no  ice  on  the  north- 
northeaft.     We  approached  nearer  for  the  fake  of  a  better 

obfervation, 


Voyages  of 


|l 


obfervation,  and  found  that  it  was  Canfeau.  This  led  us  to 
bear  off  to  the  north  for  Cape  Breton  Ifland ;  but  we  liad 
fcarccly  failed  two  leagues  when  we  encountered  an  ice  bank 
on  the  northcaft.  Night  coming  on,  we  were  obliged  to  put 
out  to  fea  until  the  next  day,  when  we  failed  northeafl,  and 
encountered  more  ice.  bearing  caft,  eafl-southeaft  from  us, 
along  which  we  coaflcd  heading  northeafl  and  north  for 
more  than  fifteen  leagues.  At  laft  we  were  obliged  to  fail 
towards  the  weft,  greatly  to  oir  regret,  inafmuch  as  we  could 
find  no  palTage,  and  fliould  be  obliged  to  withdraw  and  fail 
back  on  our  track.  Unfortunately  for  us  we  were  overtaken 
by  a  calm,  fo  that  it  feemed  as  if  the  fwell  of  the  fea  would 
throw  us  upon  the  ice  bank  juft  mentioned,  and  we  got 
ready  to  launch  our  little  boat,  to  ufe  in  cafe  of  neceffity. 
If  we  had  taken  refuge  on  the  above-mentioned  ice  it  would 
only  have  been  to  languifli  and  die  in  mifery.  While  we 
were  deliberating  whether  to  launch  our  boat,  a  frefli  breeze 
arofe  to  our  great  delight,  and  thus  we  efcaped  from  the  ice. 
After  we  had  failed  two  leagues,  night  came  on,  with  a  very 
thick  fog,  cauftng  us  to  haul  down  our  fail,  as  we  could  not 
fee,  and  as  there  were  feveral  large  pieces  of  ice  in  our  way, 
which  we  were  afraid  of  ftriking.  Thus  we  remained  the 
entire  night  until  the  next  day,  which  was  the  twenty-ninth, 
when  the  fog  increafed  to  fuch  an  extent  that  we  could 
fcarcely  fee  the  length  of  the  veffel.  There  was  alfo  very 
little  wind.  Yet  we  did  not  fail  to  fet  fail,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  ice.  But,  although  expecfling  to  extricate  ourfelves,  we 
found  ourfelves  fo  involved  in  it  that  we  could  not  tell  on 
which  fide  to  tack.  We  were  accordingly  again  compelled 
to  lower  fail,  and  drift  until  the  ice  fliould  allow  us  to  make 

fail. 


Sietcr  de  Champlain. 


fail.  We  made  a  hundred  tacks  on  one  fide  and  the  other, 
fevcral  times  fearing  that  we  were  lofl.  The  mofl  fclf-pof- 
felTcd  would  have  lofl:  all  judgment  in  fuch  a  juncture;  even 
the  greatefl;  navigator  in  the  world.  What  alarmed  us  flill 
more  was  the  (hort  diftanco  we  could  fee,  and  the  fac^  that  the 
night  was  coming  on,  and  that  we  could  not  make  a  Ihift  of 
a  quarter  of  a  league  without  finding  a  bank  or  fome  ice,  and 
a  great  deal  of  floating  ice,  the  fnuillefl  piece  of  which  would 
have  been  fufficient  to  caufe  the  lofs  of  any  veffel  whatever. 
Now,  while  we  were  flill  failing  along  amid  the  ice,  there 
arofe  fo  flrong  a  wind  that  in  a  fliort  time  the  fog  broke 
away,  affording  us  a  view,  and  fuddenly  giving  us  a  clear  air 
and  fair  fun.  Looking  around  about  us,  we  found  that  we 
were  fhut  up  in  a  little  lake,  not  fo  much  as  a  league  and  a 
half  in  circuit.  On  the  north  we  perceived  the  ifland  of 
Cape  Breton,  nearly  four  leagues  diftant,  and  it  feemed  to  us 
that  the  paffage-way  to  Cape  Breton  was  flill  clofed.  We 
alfo  faw  a  fmall  ice  bank  aflern  of  our  veffel,  and  the  ocean 
beyond  that,  which  led  us  to  refolve  to  go  beyond  the  bank, 
which  was  divided.  This  we  fucceeded  in  accomplilhing  with- 
out ilriking  our  veffel,  putting  out  to  fea  for  the  night,  and 
pafhng  to  the  foutheaft  of  the  ice.  Thinking  now  that  we 
could  double  this  ice  bank,  we  failed  eafl-northeaft  fume  fifteen 
leagues,  perceiving  only  a  little  piece  of  ice.  At  night  we 
hauled  down  the  fail  until  the  next  day,  when  we  perceived 
another  ice  bank  to  the  north  of  us,  extending  as  far  as  we 
could  fee.  We  had  drifted  to  within  nearly  half  a  league  of 
it,  when  we  hoifted  fail,  continuing  to  coafl  along  this  ice 
in  order  to  find  the  end  of  it.  While  failing  along,  we 
fighted  on  the  firft  day  of  May  a  veffel  amid  the  ice,  which, 

as 


n 


8 


Voyages  of 


as  well  as  ourfelves,  had  found  it  difficult  to  cfcape  from  it. 
We  backed  our  fails  in  order  to  await  the  former,  which 
came  full  upon  us,  fmce  wc  were  defirous  of  afccrtaining 
whether  it  had  feen  other  ice.  On  its  approach  we  faw  that 
it  was  the  fon  ^  of  Sieur  de  Poutrincourt,  on  his  way  to  vifit 
his  father  at  the  fettlement  of  Port  Royal.  He  had  left 
France  three  months  before,  not  without  much  rclu6lance,  I 
think,  and  flill  they  were  nearly  a  hundred  and  forty  leagues 
from  Port  Royal,  and  well  out  of  their  true  courfe.  We  told 
them  we  had  fighted  the  iflands  of  Canfeau,  much  to  their 
fatisfa(5lion,  I  think,  as  they  had  not  as  yet  fighted  any  land, 
and  were  fleering  ftraiglit  between  Cape  St.  Lawrence  and 
Cape  Raye,  in  which  direction  they  would  not  have  found 
Port  Royal,  except  by  going  overland.  After  a  brief  confer- 
ence with  each  other  we  feparated,  each  following  his  own 
courfe.  The  next  day  we  fighted  the  iflands  of  St.  Pierre, 
finding  no  ice.  Continuing  our  courfe  we  fighted  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  the  third  of  the  month,  Cape  Raye,  alfo  without 
finding  ice.  On  the  fourth  we  fighted  the  ifland  of  St.  Paul, 
and  Cape  St.  Lawrence,  being  fome  eight  leagues  north  of 
the  latter.  The  next  day  we  fighted  Gafpe.  On  the  feventh 
we  were  oppofed  by  a  northwefl:  wind,  which  drove  us  out  of 
our  courfe  nearly  thirty-five  leagues,  when  the  wind  lulled, 
and  was  in  our  favor  as  far  as  Tadouffac,  which  we  reached 
on  the  13th  day  of  May.^  Here  we  difcharged  a  cannon  to 
notify  the  favages,  in  order  to  obtain  news  from  our  fettle- 
ment 

*  This  was    Charles    de   Biencourt,  ^  They  left  Honfleur  on  the  firfl:  day 

Sieur  de  Saint   Jurt.      He  was  clofely  of  March,  and  were  thus  feventy-four 

alTociated    with    his    father,    Sieur   de  days  in  reaching  TadoufTac.     The  voy- 

Poutrincourt,    in    his    colony  at    Port  age    was    ufually    made    in    favorable 

Royal.     Vide  Vol.  I.  p.  122,  note  Tj.  weather  in  thirty  days. 


Sicttr  de  Champlain, 


ment  at  Quebec.  The  country  was  flil!  almofi.  entirely 
covered  with  fnow.  There  came  out  to  us  fome  canoes, 
informing  us  that  one  of  our  patachcs  lud  been  in  the  har- 
bor for  a  month,  and  that  tlirec  veffels  had  arrived  eight  days 
before.  We  lowered  our  boat  and  x'ifited  thcfe  favages,  who 
were  in  a  very  miferable  condition,  having  only  a  few  ar- 
ticles to  aarter  to  fatisfy  their  immediate  wants.  Befides 
they  defired  to  wait  until  feveral  veffels  fhould  meet,  fo 
that  there  might  be  a  better  market  for  their  merchan- 
dile.  Therefore  they  are  miflaken  who  ex})e(5l  to  gain  an 
advantage  by  coming  firfl,  for  thefe  people  are  very  faga- 
cious  and  cunning. 

On  the  17th  of  the  month  I  fet  out  from  Tadouffac  for 
the  great  fall,^  to  meet  the  Algonquin  favages  and  other 
tribes,  who  had  promifed  the  year  before  to  go  there  with 
my  man,  whom  I  had  fent  to  them,  that  I  might  learn  from 
him  what  he  misfht  fee  durinsj  the  winter.  Thofe  at  this 
harbor  who  fufpecled  where  I  was  going,  in  accordance  with 
the  promifes  which  I  had  made  to  the  favages,  as  Hated 
above,  began  to  build  feveral  fmall  barques,  that  they  might 
follow  me  as  foon  as  poffible.  And  feveral,  as  I  learned 
before  fetting  out  from  France,  had  Ibrne  fliips  and  pataches 
fitted  out  in  view  of  our  voyage,  hoping  to  return  rich,  as 
from  a  voyage  to  the  Indies. 

Pont  Grave  remained  at  Tadouffac  expe61ing,  if  he  did 
nothing  there,  to  take  a  patache  and  meet  me  at  the  fall. 
Between  Tadouffac  and  Quebec  our  barque  made  much 
water,  which  obliged  me  to  flop  at  Quebec  and  repair  the 
leak.    This  was  on  the  21ft  day  of  May.      CHAPTER  II 

•  The  Falls  of  St.  Louis,  near  Montreal,  now  more  commonly  known  as  the 
La  Chine  Rapids. 


lilf 


lO 


Voyages  of 


CHAPTER  II. 

Landing  at  Quebec  to  repair  the  Barque.  —  Departure  from  Quebec 
FOR  THE  Fall,  to  meet  the  Savages,  and  search  out  a  Place 
approi'iuate  for  a  Settlement. 

N  going  alhorc  I  found  Sieur  du  Pure,  who  had 
fpcnt  the  winter  at  the  fcttlemcnt.  He  and  all 
his  companions  were  very  well,  and  had  not 
fuffered  any  ficknefs.  Game,  both  large  and 
fmall,  had  been  abundant  during  the  entire 
winter,  as  they  told  me.  I  found  there  the  Indian  captain, 
named  Batifcan,  and  fome  Algonquins,  who  liiid  they  were 
waiting  for  me,  being  unwilling  to  return  to  TadouiVac  with- 
out feeing  me.  I  propofed  to  them  to  take  one  of  our  com- 
pany to  the  Trois  Rivieres  to  explore  the  i>lace,  but  being 
unable  to  obtain  anything  from  them  this  year  I  put  it  off 
until  the  next.  Still  I  did  not  fail  to  inform  myfclf  particu- 
larly regarding  the  origin  of  the  people  living  there,  of  which 
they  told  me  with  exaclnefs.  I  afked  them  for  one  of  their 
canoes,  which  they  were  unwilling  to  part  with  on  any 
terms,  becaufe  of  their  own  need  of  it.  For  I  had  planned 
to  fend  two  or  three  men  to  explore  the  neighborhood  of 
the  Trois  Rivieres,  and  afcertain  w^hat  there  was  there. 
This,  to  my  great  regret,  I  was  unable  to  accomplifh,  and 
poflponed  the  projedl  to  the  firft  opportunity  that  might 
prefent  itfelf. 

Meanwhile  I  urged  on  the  repairs  to  our  barque.     When 
it  was  ready,  a  young  man  from  La  Rochelle,  named  Tre- 
fart,  afked  me  to  permit  him  to  accompany  me  to  the  above- 
mentioned 


Sic2ir  de  CharnplaiiK 


II 


mentioned  fall.  This  I  rcfufed,  ri'i)lyini;  that  I  had  fpecial 
plans  of  my  own,  and  that  I  did  not  wilh  to  conduct  any  one 
to  my  prejudice,  adding'  that  theiv  were  other  companies 
than  mine  there,  and  that  I  did  not  care  to  open  up  a  way 
and  ferve  as  guide,  and  that  lie  could  make  the  voyage  well 
enough  alone  and  without  my  help. 

The  fame  day  I  fet  out  from  Quebec,  and  arrived  at  the 
great  fall  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  May.  lUit  I  found  none 
of  the  favagcs  who  had  prom i led  me  to  be  there  on  this 
day.  I  entered  at  once  a  poor  canoe,  together  with  the  fav- 
age  I  had  taken  to  France  and  one  of  my  own  men.  After 
examining  the  two  fliores,  both  in  the  woods  and  on  the 
river  bank,  in  order  to  find  a  fjDot  favorable  for  the  location 
of  a  fettlement,  and  to  get  a  place  ready  for  building,  I  went 
fome  eight  leagues  by  land  along  the  great  fall  and  through 
the  woods,  which  arc  very  open,  as  far  as  a  lake,*  whither 
our  favage  condu6led  me.  Here  I  obferved  the  country  very 
carefully.  But  in  all  that  I  faw,  I  found  no  place  more 
favorable  than  a  litUe  fpot  to  which  barques  and  fliallops 
can  eafily  afcend,  with  the  help  of  a  flrong  wind  or  by  taking 
a  winding  courfe,  in  confequence  of  the  ftrong  current.  But 
above  this  place,  which  we  named  La  Place  Royak,  at  the 
diftance  of  a  league  from  Mcnt  Royal,  there  are  a  great 
many  little  rocks  and  flioals,  which  are  very  dangerous. 
Near  Place  Royale  there  is  a  little  river,  extending  fome 
dillance  into  the  interior,  along  the  entire  length  of  which 
there  are  more  than  fixty  acres  of  land  cleared  up  and  like 
meadows,  where  grain  can  be  fown  and  gardens  made.  For- 
merly 

*  This  journey  o£  eight  leagues  would  take  them  as  far  as  the  Lake  of  Two 
Mountains. 


12 


Voyages  of 


y     I 


merly  favagcs  tilled  thefe  lands,'^  but  they  abandoned  them  on 
account  of  their  wars,  in  which  they  were  conllantly  engaged. 
There  is  alfo  a  large  number  of  other  fine  paflures,  where 
any  number  of  cattle  can  graze.  There  are  alio  the  various 
kinds  of  trees  found  in  I'rance,  together  with  many  vines, 
nut  and  plum  trees,  cherries,  ftrawberries,  and  other  kinds  of 
good  fruit.  Among  the  refl;  there  is  a  very  excellent  one, 
with  a  fweet  tafle  like  that  of  plantains,  a  fruit  of  the  Indies, 
as  white  as  fnow,  with  a  leaf  refembling  that  of  nettles,  and 

which 


'  Tliis  Utt'e  river  is  mentioned  by 
Ciiamplain  in  iiis  Voyaj^e  of  1603, 
Vol.  I.  p.  268.  It  is  rcprefcnted  on 
early  maps  as  formed  by  two  fmall 
ftrcams,  flowiii,;,',  one  from  the  norili  or 
nortlieallcrn,  and  the  oilier  from  the 
fouthern  fide  of  the  mountain,  in  the 
rear  of  tlie  city  of  Montreal,  which 
unite  fome  dillance  before  ihcy  reach 
the  St.  Lawrence,  flowinjj  into  that 
river  at  Point  Calliilires.  Thefe  little 
brooks  are  laid  down  on  Champlnin's 
local  map,  Le  Grand  Sault  St.  Louis, 
on  Charlevoix's  Caric  </c  r IJlc  dc  lUont- 
ri'al,  1744,  and  on  I3ellin's  L Ijle  dc 
Montii'd/,  1764;  hut  they  have  dif- 
appeared  on  modern  maps,  and  prol)a- 
bly  are  either  extind  or  are  loll  in  the 
feweragc  of  the  city,  of  which  they  have 
become  a  part.  We  have  called  the 
ftream  formed  by  thefe  two  brooks, 
note  100.  Vol.  1.,  Ri-i'i}re  St.  Pierre. 
On  I'otherie's  map,  the  only  ftreain 
coming  from  the  interior  is  fo  na'ied. 
I'ide  Ilijloire  de  LAincrique  par 
M.  de  Bacqueville  de  la  Polherie,  1722, 
p.  311.  On  a  map  in  Grcig's  Hoche- 
hii^a  Dcpicla,  1839,  it  is  called  St. 
Peter's  River.  The  fame  dream  on 
Bouchctte's  map,  1830,  is  denominated 
Little  River.  It  feems  not  unlikely 
that  a  part  of  it  was  called,  at  one  time, 


Riviere  St.  Pierre,  and  another  part 
Petite  Kivierc. 

It  is  jilain  that  on  this  flream  was 
fituated  the  fixty  acres  of  cleared  land 
alluded  ti)  in  the  text  as  formerly  occu- 
pied by  the  favagcs. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  feven- 
ty-fix  years  anterior  to  this,  in  1535, 
Jacques  Carticr  difcovcred  tiiis  place, 
whicli  was  then  the  feat  of  a  large  and 
flourifliing  Indian  town.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  Champlain  did  not  in- 
form us  more  definitely  as  to  the  hiflory 
of  the  former  occupants  of  the  foil. 
Some  important,  and  we  think  conclu- 
five,  reafons  have  been  affigned  for 
fuppofmg  that  they  were  a  tribe  of  the 
Iroquois.  Among  olliers  may  be  men- 
tioned the  fimilarity  in  the  conftruelion 
of  tiieir  towns  and  houfes  or  cabins, 
the  identity  of  their  lanuuage  as  de- 
termined by  a  collation  of  the  words 
found  in  Cartier's  journal  with  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Iroquois;  and  to  thefe 
may  be  added  the  traditions  obtained 
by  miffionaries  and  others,  as  cited  by 
Laveniicre,  to  which  we  mull  not.  how- 
ever, attach  too  much  value.  Vide  La- 
verdiire  in  loco.  While  it  feems  proba- 
ble that  the  former  occupants  were  of 
the  Iroquois  family,  it  is  impoffible  to 
determine   whether    on    retiring    they 

joined 


i 


I 


\\\ 


l."IIP.fc'l'l.t»fc...lfB 


!'**i\^-f».-a*«iBK-fllBWP**,r-- 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


13 


which  creeps  up  the  trees  and  along  the  ground  like  ivy." 
Fifii  are  very  abundant,  including  all  the  varieties  we  have  in 
France,  and  many  very  good  ones  which  wc  do  not  have. 
Game  is  alfo  plenty,  the  birds  being  of  various  kinds.  There 
are  flags,  hinds,  does,  caribous,"  rabbits,  lyn.'cs,"  bears,  bea- 
vers, alio  other  fmall  animals,  and  all  in  fuch  large  numbers, 
that  while  we  were  at  the  fall  we  were  abundantly  fupplied 
with  them. 

After  a  careful  examination,  we  found  this  place  one  of 
the  fincft  on  this  river.  I  accordingly  forthwith  gave  orders 
to  cut  down  and  clear  up  the  woods  in  the  Place  Royale," 

lb 


joined  the  Five  Nations  in  tlic  State  of 
New  York,  or  merged  lliemfclves  with 
tlie  Hurons,  wlio  were  likewife  of  Iro- 
quois orii^in. 

*  I  am  unable  to  identify  tliis  plant. 
Its  climbing  propenlity  and  tiic  color  of 
its  fruit  fuggcit  Khus  radii  ans^  but  in 
other  refpects  the  finiilarity  fails. 

'  Cer/'s,  Daims,  C/ieiireuis,  Caribous. 
Champlain  employs  the  names  of  the 
different  fpccies  of  the  Cerf  family  as 
ufed  in  Europe  ;  but  as  our  fpccies  are 
diftcrcnt,  this  ufc  of  names  creates 
fonie  confufion.  There  were  in  Canada, 
the  moofe,  the  caribou,  the  wapiti,  and 
tlie  common  red  deer.  Any  enumera- 
tion I'.y  the  early  ■•  riters  muft  include 
thefe,  under  whatever  names  they  may 
be  defcriijed.  One  will  be  found  ap- 
plying a  name  to  a  given  fpecies,  while 
another  will  apply  the  fimc  name  to 
quite  a  diflcrent  fpecies.  Charlevoix 
mentions  the  orignal  (moofe)  caribou, 
the  hart,  and  the  roelnick.  Under  the 
name  hart,  he  probably  refers  to  the 
wapiti,  claphiis  Canadeiifis,  and  roe- 
buck, to  die  common  red  deer,  Ccrvus 
Virginianus.  Vide  Charlevoix's  Let- 
ters to  the   Dutchefs  of  Lesdiguieres, 


'7^3.  PP-  'j4-<j9.  ''ilfo  Vol.  I.  of  this 
work,  p.  265. 

*  Lywxcr,, /.ouf>s-/c-rniers.  The  com- 
pound word  /nu/>-i-rr7 'ii-r  w^s  fignificant, 
and  was  applied  originally  to  the  animal 
of  which  the  ftag  was  its  natural  prey, 
gui  attaque  les  ccrfs.  In  Europe  it 
defcribed  the  lynx,  a  large  powerful  ani- 
mal of  the  feline  race,  that  might  well 
venture  to  attack  the  Itag.  liut  in 
Canada  this  fpecies  is  not  found.  What 
is  known  as  the  Canadian  lynx,  l^clis 
Caitadeiijis,  is  only  a  large  fpecies  of 
cat,  which  preys  upon  birds  and  the 
fmaller  quadrupeds.  Champlain  prob- 
ably gives  it  the  name  ioup-fertner  for 
the  want  of  one  more  appropriate.  It 
is  a  little  remarkable  that  he  does  not 
in  this  lift  mention  the  American  wolf. 
Lupus  occidentalism  fo  common  .'n 
every  part  of  Canada,  and  which  he 
fubfequently  refers  to  as  the  animal 
cfpecially  dreaded  by  the  deer.  Vide 
pojlea,  pp.  139,  157. 

'••  The  fite  of  Place  Royale  was  on 
Point  Callieres,  fo  named  in  honor  of 
Chevalier  Louis  Hector  de  Callieres 
Bonnevue,  governor  of  Montreal  in 
1684. 


» 


i! 


I      \ 


''     I 


14 


Voyages  of 


fo  as  to  level  it  and  prepare  it  for  building.  The  water  can 
ealily  be  made  to  flow  around  it,  making  of  it  a  little  ifland, 
fo  thcit  a  habitation  can  be  formed  as  one  may  wifh. 

There  is  a  little  ifland  fome  twenty  fathoms  from  Place 
Royale,  about  a  hundred  paces  long,  where  a  good  and  ftrong 
fettlement  might  be  made.  There  are  alfo  many  meadows, 
containing  very  good  and  rich  potter's  clay,  as  well  adapted 
for  brick  as  for  building  purpofes,  and  confequently  a  very 
ufeful  article.  I  had  a  portion  of  it  worked  up,  from  which 
I  made  a  wall  four  feet  thick,  three  or  four  high,  and  ten 
fathoms  long,  to  fee  how  it  would  fland  during  the  winter, 
when  the  frefliets  came  down,  although  I  thought  the  water 
would  not  reach  up  to  it,  the  ground  there  being  twelve  feet 
above  the  river,  which  was  very  high.  In  the  middle  of  the 
river  there  was  an  ifland  about  three-quarters  of  a  league 
around,  where  a  good  and  (trong  town  could  be  built.  This 
we  named  IJle  de  Sainte  Helhie}^  This  river  at  the  fall  is 
like  a  lake,  containing  two  or  three  iflands,  and  bordered  by 
fine  meadows. 

On  the  firfl  day  of  June,  Pont  Grave  arrived  at  the  fall, 
having  been  unable  to  accomplifli  anything  at  Tadouffac. 
A  numerous  company  attended  and  followed  after  him  to 
fliare  in  the  booty,  without  the  hope  of  which  they  would 
have  been  far  in  the  rear. 

Now,  while  awaiting  the  favages,  I  had  two  gardens  made, 
one  in  the  meadows,  the  other  in  the  woods,  which  I  had 
cleared  up.     On  the  2d  of  June  I  fowed  fome  feeds,  all  of 

which 


^°  It  feems  mod  likely  that  the  name 
of  this  iilaiid  was  fuj^seffed  by  the  mar- 
riage which  Champlain  had  contrafted 


with  Hdline  Boulld,  the  yeai  before. 
This  name  had  been  given  to  feveral 
other  places.     F/afe  Vol.  I.  pp.  104,  105. 


,1 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


IS 


which  came  up  finely,  and  in  a  fliort  time,  attefling  the 
good  quality  of  the  foil. 

We  refolved  to  fend  Savignon,  our  favage,  together  with 
another,  to  meet  his  countrymen,  fo  as  to  haften  their  ar- 
rival. They  hefitated  about  going  in  our  canoe,  of  which 
tliey  were  dirtruftful,  it  being  a  very  poor  one.  They  fet  out 
on  the  5th.  T^he  next  day  four  or  five  barques  arrived  as 
an  efcort  for  us,  fince  they  could  do  nothing  at  Tadouffac. 

On  the  7th  I  went  to  explore  a  little  river,  along  which 
the  ravages  fometimes  go  to  war,  and  which  flows  into  the 
fall  of  the  river  of  the  Iroquois."  It  is  very  pleafant,  with 
meadow  land  more  than  three  leagues  in  circuit,  and  much 
arable  land.  It  is  diflant  a  league  from  the  great  fall,  and 
a  league  and  a  half  from  Place  Royale. 

On  the  9th  our  favage  arrived.  He  had  gone  fomewhat 
beyond  the  lake,  which  is  ten  leagues  long,  and  which  I  had 
feen  before.^^  But  he  met  no  one,  and  they  were  unable  to 
go  any  farther,  as  their  canoe  gave  out,  which  obliged  them 
to  return.  They  reported  that  after  paffing  the  fall  they 
faw  an  ifland,  where  there  was  fuch  a  quantity  of  herons 
that  the  air  was  completely  filled  with  them.  There  was  a 
young  man  belonging  to  Sieur  de  Monts  named  Louis,  who 
was  very  fond  of  the  chafe.  Hearing  this,  he  wiflied  to  go 
and  fatisfy  his  curiofity,  earneflly  entreating  our  favage  to 
take  him  to  the  place.  To  this  the  favage  confented,  taking 
alfo  a  captain  of  the  Montagnais,  a  very  refpeclable  perfon, 
whofe   name  was   OiUdoitcos.      On   the  followincr  mornincr 

T  '  00 

Louis  caufed  the  two  favages  to  be  called,  and  went  with 

them 


11 


Vide    Vol.    I.    p.    268,   note    rgi 


wi 


Walker  and  Miles' s  Atlas,  map  1S6.         Vide  antca,  note  4 


'■-  The  Lake  of  the  Two  Mountains. 


i6 


Voyages  of 


\\ 


k 


them  in  a  canoe  to  the  ifland  of  the  herons.    This  ifland  is  in 
the  middle  of  the  fall.^'^     Here  tliey  captured  as  many  lierons 
and  other  birds  as  they  wanted,  and  embarked  again  in  their 
canoe.    Outetoucos,  contrary  to  the  wiih  of  the  other  favao-e, 
and  againfl  his  remonflrances,  defired  to  pafs  through  a  very 
dangerous  place,  where  the  water  fell  more  than  three  feet, 
faying  that  he  had  formerly  gone  this  way,  which,  however, 
was  falfe.     He  had  a  long  difcuffion  in  oppofition  to  our 
favage,  who  wiflied  to  take  him  on  the  fouth  fide,  along  the 
mainland,^^  where  they  ufually  go.     This,  however,  Outetou- 
cos did   not  wilh,  faying  that  there  was  no  danger.     Our 
favage  finding  him  obfiinate  yielded  to  his  defire.     But  he 
infifled  that  at  leaft  a  part  of  the  birds  in  the  canoe  fliould 
be    taken    out,  as   it  was    overloaded,  otherwife  he  faid  it 
would  inevitably  fill  and  be  loft.     But  to  this  he  would  not 
confent,  faying  that  it  would  be  time  enough  when  they  found 
themfelves  in  the  prefence  of  danger.      They  accordingly 
permit lod  themfelves   to  be  carried  along  by  the  current. 
But  when  they  reached  the  precipice,  they  wanted  to  throw 
overboard  their  load  in  order  to  efcape.     It  was  now,  how- 
ever, too  late,  for  they  were  completely  in  the  power  of 
the  rapid  water,  and  were  firaightway  fwallowed  up  in  the 
whirlpools  of  the  fall,  which  turned  them  round  a  thoufand 
times.     For  a  long  time  they  clung  to  the  boat.     Finally  the 
fwiftnefs  of  the  water  wearied  them  fo  that  this  poor  Louis, 

who 

"  On  Champlain's  local  map  of  the  the  letter  R  is   Heron   Iflaivl.      Vide 

Falls  of  St.  Louis,  the  letter  Q  is  want-  pojlca,  R  on  map  at  p.  i8. 
inor;  but  the  expreffion,  c<y?.' /J/?^  c/l  au         "  Grand  Tihie.   fo   in  the   orio-inal. 

vuhcH  du  /ant,  '"in  the  middle  of  tlie  Tliis  is  a  typon;raphical  error  for  pratid 

fall,     as   fuggefted  by  Laverdicre,  in-  /erre.     Vide  Champlain,  16152,  Quebec 

dicates  that  the  ifland  delignated   by  ed..  p.  842. 


-^*... 


Sieur  dc  Champlain. 


17 


who  could  not  fwim  at  all,  entirely  lolt  his  prefence  of  mind, 
and,  the  canoe  going  down,  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  it. 
As  it  returned  to  the  furface,  the  two  others  who  kept  hold- 
ing on  to  it,  law  Louis  no  more,  and  thus  he  died  a  fad 
death.^^  The  two  others  continued  to  hold  on  to  the  canoe. 
When,  however,  they  were  out  of  danger,  this  Outetoucos, 
being  naked  and  having  confidence  in  his  Iwimming  powers, 
abandoned  it  in  the  expectation  of  reaching  the  ihore,  al- 
though the  water  flill  ran  there  with  great  rapidity.  But  he 
was  drowned,  for  he  had  been  fo  weakened  and  overcome  by 
his  efforts  that  it  was  inipoffible  for  him  to  fave  himlelf  after 
abandoning  the  canoe.  Our  favage  Savignon,  underlland- 
ing  himfelf  better,  held  firmly  to  the  canoe  until  it  reached 
an  eddy,  whither  the  current  had  carried  it.  Here  he  man- 
aged fo  well  that,  notwithltanding  his  fuffering  and  wearincfs, 
he  approached  the  fhore  gradually,  when,  after  throwing  the 
water  out  of  the  canoe,  he  returned  in  great  fear  that  they 
would  take  vengeance  upon  him,  as  the  favagcs  do  among 
themfclves,  and  related  to  us  this  fad  ftory,  which  caufed  us 
great  forrow. 

On  the  next  day  I  went  in  another  canoe  to  the  fall, 
together  with  the  favage  and  another  member  of  our  com- 
pany, to  fee  the  place  where  they  had  met  v/ith  their 
accident,  and  find,  if  poffible,  the  remains.  But  when  he 
fliowed  me  the  fpot,  I  was  horrified  at  beholding  fuch  a 
terrible  place,  and  afloniflied  that  the  deceafed  Ihould  have 

been 

15  The  death  of  this  young  man  may  Louis  of  the  French.     Hitherto  it  had 

have  fuggelled  the  name  which  was  after-  been  called  Le  Grand  Saut.     But  foon 

ward  given  to  the  fall.     He  was,  how-  after  this  it  began  to  be  called  Grand 

ever,  it  is  reafonable  to  fuppofe,  hardly  Saiit  :S.  Louys.     Vide  po/iea,  pp.  38,51, 

equal  m  fandity  of  charader  to  the  Saint  59. 


^ 


i8 


'i      L 


Voyages  of 


been  fo  lacking  in  judgment  as  to  pafs  through  fuch  a  fear- 
ful  place,  when  they  could  ha^•e  gone  another  way.  For  it 
IS  impoffible  to  go  along  there,  as  there  are  feven  or  eio-ht 
defcents  of  water  one  after  the  other,  the  loweft  three  feet 
high,  the  feething  and  boiling  of  the  water  being  fearful  A 
part  of  the  fall  was  all  ^^■hite  with  foam,  inclicattng  the  worll 
fpot,  the  noife  of  which  was  like  thunder,  the  air  refoundincr 
with  the  echo  of  the  cataracls.  After  viewing  and  carefully 
examining  this  place,  and  fcarching  along  the  river  bank  for 
the  dead  bodies,  another  very  light  fhailop  having  proceeded 
meanwhile  on  the  other  bank  allb,  we  returned  without  find- 
ing  anything. 

CHAPTER   III. 


Champlain's  Explanation  of  the  accompanying  Map. 

Le  Grand  Sault  St.  Loiis. 

A.  Small  place  that  I  Iiad  cleared  up.  /".  Small  pond.  C.  Small  iflet,  where 
I  had  a  flone  wall  made.  D.  Small  brook,  where  the  barques  are  kept.  E. 
Meadows  where  the  favasres  Hay  when  they  come  to  this  region.  /•:  Mountains 
feen  in  the  interior.  G.  Small  pond.  //.  Mont  Royal.  /.  Small  brook.  Z.  The 
fall.  ^r.  Place  on  the  north  fide,  where  the  favages  transfer  their  canoes  by 
land.  A\  Sjiot  where  one  of  our  men  and  a  favagc  were  drowned.  O.  Small 
rocky  iflet.  /'.  Another  iflet  where  birds  make  their  nefts.  Q.  Heron  ifland. 
/?.  Another  iHand  in  the  fall.  S.  Small  iHet.  T.  Small  round  iflet,  V.  Another 
ifkt  half  covered  with  water.  X.  Another  iflet.  where  there  are  many  river  birds. 
K  .Meadows.  Z.  Small  river.  2.  Very  large  and  f^ne  iHands.  3.  Places  which 
are  bare  when  the  water  is  low,  where  there  are  great  eddies,  as  at  the  main  fall. 
4.  Meadows  covered  with  water.  5.  Very  Hiallow  places.  6.  Another  little  iHct. 
7.  Small  rocks.  8.  Ifland  St.  Heline.  9.  Small  iiland  without  trees,  g-  Marflies 
conneaing  with  the  great  fall. 


W 


■■'  rmTTiifiiigMBBBwa— 


lar- 
rit 
5ht 
cct 
A 

ng 
lly 
for 
led 


[II. 


ere 
E. 

ins 

riie 

by 

Kill 

nd. 
ler 
(Is. 
icli 


et. 
les 


- 

1^' 


I  I 


>  i  I 


}i 


tiHH 


Sieicr  de  Cha^nplain, 


19 


CHAPTER  III. 
Tu-o  Hundred  Savages  return  the   Frenchman  who  had  been  kn- 

TRUSTED    TO    THEM,    AND    RECEIVE    THE    Savage    WHO    HAD    COME    BACK 

FROM  France.  —  Various  Interviews  on  both  Sides. 

N    the  thirteenth  clay  of  the  month^'^  two  luin- 
dred  Charioquois'"  favages,  together  with  the 
captains    Ochateguin,   Iroqiiet,  and    Tregouar- 
oti,  brother  uf  our  favage,   brought  back  my 
fervant^^    We  were  greatly  pleafcd  to  fee  them. 
I  went  to  meet  them  in  a   canoe   with    our   llivage.      As 
they  were  approaching  flowly  and  in  order,  our  men  pre- 
pared   to    falute    them    with    a   difcharge    of    arquebufes, 
mufkets,  and  fmall  pieces.     When  they  were  near  at  hand,' 
they  all   fet   to   fliouting   together,  and  one   of   the  chiefs 
gave   orders    that    they   fliould    make    their    harangue,    in 
which  they  greatly  praifed    us,  commending   us   as  truth- 
ful,  inafmuch  as  I  had  kept  the  promife  to  meet  them  at 
this  fall.     After  they  had  made  three  more  fliouts,  there 
was  a  difcharge  of  mufketry  twice  from   thirteen  barques 
or  pataches  that  were  there.     This  alarmed  them  fo,  unit 
they  begged  me  to  affure  them  that  there  Ihould  be  no 
more  firing,  faying  that  the  greater  part  of  them  had  never 
feen  Chriftians,  nor  heard  thunderings  of  that  fort,  and  that 

they 

"  ChViim,'m\      Tn  ti     -rr        c    ^         ^  ^^  V^'^^  ^^^^  *'^^  yo""?:  ^^^  t^i'it  had 


'i 


I    ' 


f  ^ 


i   t 


t    ', 


ii  ll 
I  I' 

i! 


20 


Voyages  of 


they  were  afraid  of  its  harming  them,  but  that  they  were 
greatly  pleafec'  to  fee  our  fawage  in  health,  whom  they  fup- 
pofcd  was  dead,  as  had  been  reported  by  fome  Algonquins, 
who  had  heard  fo  from  the  Montagnais.  The  favage  com- 
mended the  treatment  I  had  fliown  him  in  France,  and  the 
remarkable  objects  he  had  feen,  at  which  all  wondered,  and 
went  away  quietly  to  their  cabins,  expecling  that  on  the 
next  day  I  would  fhow  them  the  place  where  I  wilhed  to 
have  them  dwell.  I  law  alfo  my  fervant,  who  was  dreffed 
in  the  coftume  of  the  favasfes,  who  commended  the  treat- 
ment  he  had  received  from  them.  He  informed  me  of 
all  he  had  feen  and  learned  during  the  winter,  from  the 
favages. 

The  next  day  I  fliowed  them  a  fpot  for  their  cabins,  in 
regard  to  which  the  elders  and  principal  ones  confulted 
very  privately.  After  their  long  confultation  they  fent  for 
me  alone  and  my  fervant,  who  had  learned  their  language 
very  well.  They  told  him  they  defired  a  clofe  alliance  with 
me,  and  were  forry  to  fee  here  all  thefe  fliallops,  and  that 
our  favage  had  told  them  he  did  not  know  them  at  all 
nor  their  intentions,  and  that  it  was  clear  that  they  were 
attracted  only  by  their  dcfire  of  gain  and  their  avarice,  and 
that  when  their  affiftance  was  needed  they  would  refufe  it, 
and  would  not  a61  as  I  did  in  offering  to  go  with  my  com- 
panions to  their  country  and  affifl  them,  of  all  of  which  I 
had  given  them  proofs  in  the  paft.  They  praifed  me  for 
the  treatment  I  had  fliown  our  favage,  which  was  that  of 
a  brother,  and  had  put  them  under  fuch  obligations  of  good 
will  to  me,  that  they  faid  they  would  endeavor  to  comply 
with  anything  I  might  defire  from  them,  but  that  they  feared 

that 


'.   I 


Sie2cr  de  Cha7nplain. 


21 


that  the  other  boats  would  do  them  fomc  harm.  I  affurcd 
tliem  that  they  would  not,  and  that  we  were  all  under  one 
king,  whom  our  favage  had  feen,  and  belonged  to  the  lame 
nation,  though  matters  of  bufinefs  were  confined  to  indi- 
viduals, and  that  they  had  no  occafion  to  fear,  but  might 
feel  as  nuich  Iccurity  as  if  they  were  in  their  own  country. 
After  confiderable  converfation,  they  made  me  a  prefent  of 
a  hundred  caftors.  I  gave  them  in  exchange  other  kinds 
of  merchandile.  They  told  me  there  were  more  than  four 
hundred  favages  of  their  country  who  had  purpofed  to  come, 
but  had  been  prevented  by  the  following  reprelentations  of 
an  Iroquois  pritbner,  who  had  belonged  to  me,  but  had  ef- 
caped  to  his  own  country.  He  had  reported,  they  faid,  that 
I  had  given  him  his  liberty  and  fome  merchandile,  and  that 
I  purpofed  to  go  to  the  fall  with  fix  hundred  Iroquois  to 
meet  the  Algonquins  and  kill  them  all,  adding  that  the  fear 
aroufed  by  this  intelligence  had  alone  prevented  them  from 
coming.  I  replied  that  the  prifoner  in  quellion  had  efcaped 
without  my  leave,  that  our  favage  knew  very  well  how  he 
went  away,  and  that  there  was  no  thought  of  abandoning 
.their  alliance,  as  they  had  heard,  fince  I  had  engaged  in  war 
with  them,  and  fent  my  fervant  to  their  country  to  fofler 
their  friendlhip,  which  was  ftill  farther  confirmed  by  my 
keeping  my  promife  to  them  in  fo  faithful  a  manner. 

They  replied  that,  fo  far  as  they  were  concerned,  they 
had  never  thought  of  this ;  that  they  were  well  aware  that 
all  this  talk  was  far  from  the  truth,  and  that  if  they  had 
believed  the  contrary  they  would  not  have  come,  but  that 
the  others  were  afraid,  never  having  feen  a  Frenchman 
except  my  fervant.     They  told  me  alio  that  three  hundred 

Algonquins 


I 


\i 


-■^ 


^ 


r/ 


22 


Voyages  of 


Algonquins  would  come  in  five  or  fix  days,  if  we  would  wait 
for  them,  to  unite  with  themfelves  in  war  againfl  the  Iro- 
quois; that,  however,  they  would  return  without  doing  fo 
unlefs  I  went.  I  talked  a  great  deal  with  them  about  the 
fource  of  the  great  river  and  their  country,  and  they  gave 
me  detailed  information  about  their  rivers,  falls,  lakes  and 
lands,  as  alfo  about  the  tribes  living  there,  and  what  is  to  be 
found  in  the  region.  Four  of  them  affured  me  that  they 
had  leen  i  fea  at  a  great  diftance  from  their  country,  but 
that  it  was  difficult  to  go  there,  not  only  on  account  of  the 
wars,  but  of  the  intervening  wildernefs.  They  told  me  alfo 
that  the  winter  before  fome  favages  had  come  from  the  direc- 
tion of  Florida,  beyond  the  country  of  the  Iroquois,  who 
lived  near  our  ocean,  and  were  in  alliance  with  thefe  favages. 
In  a  word,  they  made  me  a  very  exa6t  flatement,  indicating 
by  drawings  all  the  places  where  they  had  been,  and  taking 
pleafure  in  talking  to  me  about  them ;  and  for  my  part  I 
did  not  tire  of  liflening  to  them,  as  they  confirmed  points 
in  regard  to  which  I  had  been  before  in  doubt.  After  all 
this  converfation  was  concluded,  I  told  them  that  we  would 
trade  for  the  few  articles  they  had,  which  was  done  the  next 
day.  Each  one  of  the  barques  carried  away  its  portion ;  v/e 
on  our  fide  had  all  the  hardfliip  and  venture ;  the  others, 
who  had  not  troubled  themfelves  about  any  explorations, 
had  the  booty,  the  only  thing  that  urges  them  to  activity, 
in  which  they  employ  no  capital  and  venture  nothing. 

The  next  day,  after  bartering  what  little  they  had,  they 
made  a  barricade  about  their  dwelling,  partly  in  the  diredion 
of  the  wood,  and  partly  in  that  of  our  pataches;  and  this 
they  faid  they  did  for  their  fecurity,  in  order  to  avoid  the 

furprifes 


Siatr  de  Champlain. 


23 


II 


furprifes  of  their  enemies,  which  we  took  for  the  truth.  On 
the  coming  night,  they  called  our  ihvage,  who  was  lleeping 
on  my  patache,  and  my  fervant,  who  went  to  them.  After 
a  great  deal  of  converfation,  about  midnight  they  had  me 
called  alfo.  Entering  their  cabins,  I  found  them  all  feated 
in  council.  They  had  me  fit  down  near  tliem,  faying  that 
when  they  met  for  the  purpole  of  confidering  a  matter, 
it  was  their  cuftom  to  do  fo  at  night,  that  they  might 
not  be  diverted  by  anything  from  attention  to  the  fub- 
jcct  in  hand ;  that  at  night  one  thought  only  of  liftening, 
while  during  the  day  the  thoughts  were  diflra6ted  by  other 
objects. 

But  in  my  opinion,  confiding  in  me,  they  defircd  to  tell  me 
privately  their  purpofe.  Befidcs,  they  were  afraid  of  the 
other  pataches,  as  they  fubfequently  gave  me  to  underfland. 
For  they  told  me  that  they  were  uneafy  at  feeing  fo  many 
Frenchmen,  who  wer^  not  efpecially  united  to  one  another, 
and  that  they  had  defired  to  fee  me  alone ;  that  fome  of 
them  had  been  beaten ;  that  they  were  as  kindly  difpofed 
towards  me  as  towards  their  own  children,  confiding  fo 
much  in  me  that  they  would  do  whatever  I  told  them  to 
do,  but  that  they  greatly  millrufted  the  others ;  that  if  I 
returned  I  might  take  as  many  of  their  people  as  I  wiflied,  if 
it  were  under  the  guidance  of  a  chief ;  and  that  they  fent  for 
me  to  affure  me  anew  of  their  friendfhip,  which  would  never 
be  broken,  and  to  exprefs  the  hope  that  I  might  never  be  ill 
difpofed  towards  them ;  and  being  aware  that  I  had  deter- 
mined to  vifit  their  country,  they  faid  they  would  fliow  it  to 
me  at  the  rifk  of  their  lives,  giving  me  the  affiftance  of  a 
large  number  of  men,  who  could  go  everywhere ;  and  that 

in 


t  : 


(  ' 


!\ 


Ui 


24 


Voyages  of 


iti  future  wc  fliould  c.\pc(5l  liich  treatment  from   them  as 
they  had  received  from  us. 

Straightway  they  brought  fifty  caflors  and  four  firings  of 
beads,  which  they  value  as  we  do  gold  chains,  faying  that 
I  Ihould  fhare  thefe  with  my  brother,  referring  to  Pont 
Grave,  we  being  prefent  together ;  that  thcife  prefents  were 
fent  by  other  captains,  who  liad  never  fecn  me ;  that  they 
defired  to  continue  friends  to  me;  that  if  any  of  the  French 
wifhed  to  go  with  them,  they  Ihould  be  greatly  pleafed  to 
have  them  do  fo;  and  that  they  defired  more  than  ever 
to  eftablilh  a  firm  friendfiiip.  After  much  converfation  with 
them,  I  propofed  that  inafmuch  as  they  were  defirous  to 
have  me  vifit  their  country,  I  would  petition  His  Majefty 
to  affift  us  to  the  extent  of  forty  or  fifty  men,  equipped 
with  what  was  neceffary  for  the  journey,  and  that  I  would 
embark  with  them  on  condition  that  they  would  furnifh  us 
the  neceffary  provifions  for  the  journey,  and  that  I  would 
take  prefents  for  the  chiefs  of  the  country  through  which 
we  fliould  pafs,  when  we  would  return  to  our  fettlement  to 
fpend  the  winter;  that  moreover,  if  I  found  their  country 
favorable  and  fertile,  we  would  make  many  fettlements  there, 
by  which  means  we  fliould  have  frequent  intercourfe  with 
each  other,  living  happily  in  the  future  in  the  fear  of  God, 
whom  we  would  make  known  to  them.  They  were  well 
pleafed  with  this  propofition,  and  begged  me  to  fliake  hands 
upon  it,  faying  that  they  on  their  part  would  do  all  that  was 
poffible  for  its  fulfilment ;  that,  in  regard  to  provifions,  we 
fhould  be  as  well  fupplied  as  they  themfclves,  affuring  me 
again  that  they  would  fliow  me  what  I  defired  to  fee.  There- 
upon, I  took  leave  of  them  at  daybreak,  thanking  them  for 

their 


Vv     \ 


Sieur  de  Chaviplain. 


25 


their  willingnefs  to  carry  out  my  wiHies,  and  entreating 
them  to  continue  to  liitertain  tiie  fame  feelings. 

On  the  next  clay,  the  17th,  they  laid  that  they  were  going 
callor-hunting,  and  that  they  would  all  return.  On  the  fol- 
lowing morning  tliey  finilhed  bartering  what  little  they  had, 
when  they  embarked  in  their  canoes,  afking  us  not  t(»  take 
any  (leps  towards  taking  down  tlieir  dwellings,  whien  we 
I)romifed  them.  Then  they  feparated  from  each  other,  pre- 
tendincr  to  g:o  a  hunting  in  different  directions.  Thev  left 
our  favage  with  me  that  wc  might  have  lefs  dillrufl  in  them. 
But  they  had  appointed  themfelves  a  rendezvous  above  the 
fall,  where  they  knew  well  enough  that  we  could  not  go 
with  our  barcjues.  Meanwhile,  we  awaited  them  in  accord- 
ance with  what  they  had  told  us. 

The  next  day  there  came  two  favagcs,  one  Irocjuet,  the 
other  the  brother  of  our  Savignon.  They  came  to  get  the 
latter,  and  afk  me  in  behalf  of  all  their  companions  to  go 
alone  with  my  fervant  to  where  they  were  encamped,  as 
they  had  fomething  of  importance  to  tell  me,  which  they 
were  unwilling  to  communicate  to  any  Frenchmen.  I 
promifed  them  that  \  would  go. 

The  following  day  I  gave  fomo  trifles  to  Savignon,  who 
fet  out  much  pleafed,  giving  me  to  underffand  that  he  was 
about  to  live  a  very  irklbme  life  in  comparifon  with  that 
which  he  had  led  in  France.  He  exprelTed  much  regret  at 
reparation,  but  I  was  very  glad  to  be  relieved  of  the  care 
of  him.  The  two  captains  told  me  that  on  the  morning  of 
the  next  day  they  would  fend  for  me,  which  they  did.  I 
embarked,  accompanied  by  my  fervant,  with  thofe  who  came. 
Having  arrived  at  the  fall,  we  went  fome  eight  leagues  into 

4  the 


i. 


^ 


I 


n 


w 


J I 


\■^^ 


;i; 


f.  i 

I 

it     <t  i 


26 


Voyages  of 


the  woods,  where  they  were  encamped  on  the  Ihore  of  a 
lake,  where  I  had  been  before.^^  They  were  much  pleafed 
at  feeing  me,  and  began  to  fliout  after  their  cuftom.  Our 
Indian  came  out  to  meet  me,  and  afk  me  to  go  to  the  cabin 
of  his  brother,  where  he  at  once  had  fome  meat  and  fifli 
put  on  the  fire  for  my  entertainment.  While  I  was  there, 
a  banquet  was  held,  to  which  all  the  leading  Indians  were 
invited.  I  was  not  forgotten,  although  I  had  already  eaten 
fufficiently ;  but,  in  order  not  to  violate  the  cuftom  of  the 
country,  I  attended.  After  banqueting,  they  went  into  the 
woods  to  hold  their  council,  and  meanwhile  I  amufed  my- 
felf  in  looking  at  the  country  round  about,  which  is  very 
pleafant. 

Some  time  after  they  called  me,  in  order  to  communi- 
cate to  me  what  they  had  refolved  upon.  I  proceeded 
to  them  accordingly  with  my  fervant.  After  I  had  feated 
myfelf  by  their  fide,  they  faid  they  were  very  glad  to  fee  me, 
and  to  find  that  I  had  not  failed  to  keep  my  word  in  what 
I  had  promifed  them ;  faying  that  they  felt  it  an  additional 
proof  of  my  affedion  that  I  continued  the  alliance  with 
them,  and  that  before  fetting  out  they  defired  to  take  leave 
of  me,  as  it  would  have  been  a  very  great  difappointment  to 
them  to  go  away  without  feeing  me,  thinking  that  I  would 
in  that  cafe  have  been  ill  difpofed  towards  them.  They  faid 
alfo  that  what  had  led  them  to  fay  they  were  going  a  hunt- 
ing, and  build  the  barricade,  was  not  the  fear  of  their  ene- 
mies nor  the  defire  of  hunting,  but  their  fear  of  all  the  other 
pataches  accompanying  me,  inafmuch  as  they  had  heard  it 

faid 

"  This  was  doubtlefs  on  the  Lake  of  Two  Mountains. 


V. 


Sieur  de  Champlain.  27 

faid  that  on  the  night  they  font  for  me  they  were  all  to  be 
killed,  and  that  I  fliould  not  be  able  to  proted  them  from 
the  others  who  were  much  more  numerous ;  lb  that  in  order 
to  get  away  they  made  ufe  of  this  rufe.  But  they  faid  if 
there  had  been  only  our  two  pataches  they  would  have 
flayed  fome  days  longer,  and  they  begged  that,  when  I  re- 
turned with  my  companions,  I  would  not  bring  any  others. 
To  this  I  replied  that  I  did  not  bring  thele,  but  that  they 
followed  without  my  invitation ;  that  in  the  future,  however, 
I  would  come  in  another  manner;  at  which  explanation  they 
were  much  pleafed. 

And  now  they  began  again  to  repeat  what  they  had  prom- 
ifed  me  in  regard  to  the  exploration  of  the  country,  while 
I  promifed,  with  the  help  of  God,  to  fulfil  what  I  had  told 
them.  They  befoaght  me  again  to  give  them  a  man,  and  I 
replied  that  if  there  was  any  one  among  us  who  was  willing 
to  go,  I  fliould  be  well  pleafed. 

They  told  me  there  was  a  merchant,  named  Bouyer,  com- 
mander of  a  patache,  who  had  afked  them  to  take  a  young 
man,  which  requefl:,  however,  they  had  been  unwilling  to 
grant  before  afcertaining  whether  this  was  agreeable  to  me, 
as  they  did  not  know  whether  we  were  friends,  fmce  he  had 
come  in  my  company  to  trade  with  them  ;  alfo  that  they  were 
in  no  wife  under  any  obligations  to  him,  but  that  he  had 
offered  to  make  them  large  prefcnts. 

I  replied  that  we  were  in  no  wife  enemies,  and  that  they 
had  often  feen  us  converfmg  with  each  other;  but  that 
in  regard  to  traffic  each  did  what  he  could,  and  that  the 
above-named  Bouyer  was  perhaps  defirous  of  fending  this 
young  man  as   I  had  fent   mine,  hoping  for  fome  return 

in 


!      ! 

(    I 
I  I 


'II 


p  I 


ui  r 


ii 


i     I 


28 


Voyages  of 


in  the  future,  which  I  could  alfo  lay  claim  to  from  them ; 
that,  however,  they  muft  judge  towards  whom  they  had  the 
greatefl  obligations,  and  from  whom  they  were  to  expert 
the  moft. 

They  faid  there  was  no  comparifon  between  the  obliga- 
tions in  the  two  cafes,  not  only  in  view  of  the  help  I  had 
rendered  them  in  their  wars  againfl  their  enemies,  but  alfo 
of  the  offer  of  my  perfonal  affiftance  in  the  future,  in  all  of 
which  they  had  found  me  faithful  to  the  truth,  adding  that 
all  depended  on  my  pleafure.  They  faid  moreover  that  what 
made  them  fpeak  of  the  matter  was  th.:  -^refents  he  had 
offered  them,  and  that,  if  this  young  man  Ihould  go  with 
them,  it  would  not  put  them  under  fuch  obligations  to  this 
Bouyer  as  they  were  under  to  me,  and  that  it  would  have 
no  influence  upon  the  future,  fmce  they  only  took  him  on 
account  of  the  prefents  from  Bouyer. 

I  replied  that  it  was  indifferent  to  me  whether  they  took  him 
or  not,  and  in  fa6l  that  if  they  took  him  for  a  fmall  confider- 
ation  I  fhould  be  difpleafed  at  it,  but  if  in  return  for  valu- 
able prefents,  I  fliould  be  fatisfied,  provided  he  flayed  with 
Iroquet ;  which  they  promifed  me.  Then  there  was  made 
on  both  fides  a  final  flatement  of  our  agreements.  They 
had  with  them  one  who  had  three  times  been  •.:!;;!  ^jr-foner 
by  the  Iroquois,  but  had  been  fuccefsful  in  efcapinj.  This 
one  refolved  to  go,  with  nine  others,  to  war,  for  the  fake  of  re- 
venge for  the  cruelties  his  enemies  had  caufed  him  to  fuffer. 
All  the  captains  begged  me  to  diffuade  him  if  poffible,  fmce 
he  was  very  valiant,  and  they  were  afraid  that,  advancing 
boldly  towards  the  enemy,  and  fupported  by  a  fmall  force 
only,  he  would  never  return.     To  fatisfy  them  I  endeavored 

to 


f. 
i 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


29 


to  do  fo,  and  urged  all  die  reafons  I  could,  which,  however, 
availed  little  ;  for  he,  fliowing  me  a  portion  of  his  fingers  cut 
off,  alfo  great  cuts  and  burns  on  his  body,  as  evidences  of  the 
manner  they  had  tortured  him,  faid  that  it  was  impoffible 
for  him  to  live  without  killing  fome  of  his  enemies  and  hav- 
ing vengeance,  and  that  his  heart  told  him  he  mufl  fet  out 
as  foon  as  poffible,  as  he  did,  firmly  refolved  to  behave  well. 

After  concluding  with  them,  I  afked  them  to  take  me  back 
in  our  patache.  To  accomplifh  this,  they  got  ready  eight 
canoes  in  order  to  pafs  the  fall,  dripping  themfelves  naked, 
and  direding  me  to  go  only  in  my  fliirt.  For  it  often  happens 
that  fome  are  loft  in  paffing  the  fall.  Confequently,  they 
keep  clofe  to  each  other,  fo  as  to  render  affiflance  at  once,  if 
any  canoe  fliould  happen  to  turn  over.  They  faid  to  me, 
If  yours  fliould  unfortunately  overturn,  not  knowing  how 
to  fwim,  you  mufl  not  think  of  abandoning  it,  and  mufl 
cling  to  the  little  pieces  in  the  middle  of  it,  for  we  can  eafily 
refcue  you.  I  am  fure  that  even  the  moft  felf-poffeffed 
perfons  in  the  world,  who  have  not  feen  this  place  nor  paffed 
it  in  little  boats  fuch  as  they  have,  could  not  do  fo  without 
the  greatefl  apprehenfion.  But  thefe  people  are  fo  fkilful  in 
paffmg  falls,  that  it  is  an  eafy  matter  for  them.  I  paffed 
with  them,  which  I  had  never  before  done,  nor  any  other 
Chriilian,  except  my  above-mentioned  f^rvant.  Then  we 
reached  our  barques,  where  I  lodged  a  large  number  of  them, 
and  had  fome  converfation  with  the  before-mentioned  Bouyer 
in  view  of  the  fear  he  entertained  that  I  fliould  prevent  his 
fervant  from  going  with  the  favages.  They  returned  the 
next  day  with  the  young  man,  who  proved  expenfive  to  his 
mafler  who  had  expected,  in  my  opinion,  to  recover  the 

loffes 


i 


I 


i 


^? 


;  I  ■.    I 


I. 


h 


I         M 


30 


Voyages  of 


loffes  of  his  voyage,  which  were  very  confiderable,  like  thofe 
of  many  others. 

One  of  our  young  men  also  determined  to  go  with  thefe 
favages,  who  are  Charioquois,  living  at  a  diflance  of  fome 
one  hundred  and  fifty  leagues  from  the  fall.  He  went  with 
the  brother  of  Savlgnon,  one  of  the  captains,  who  promifcd 
me  to  fliow  him  all  Uiat  could  be  feen.  Bouyer  s  man  went 
with  the  above-mentioned  Iroquet,  an  Algonquin,  v/ho  lives 
fome  eighty  leagues  from  the  fall.  Both  went  off  well 
pleafed  and  contented. 

After  the  departure  of  the  favages,  we  awaited  the  three 
hundred  others  who,  as  had  been  told  us,  were  to  come,  in 
accordance  with  the  promif ,  I  had  made  them.  Finding  that 
they  did  not  come,  all  the  pataches  determined  to  induce 
fome  Algonquin  favages,  who  had  come  from  Tadouffac,  to 
go  to  meet  them,  in  view  of  a  reward  that  would  be  given 
them  on  their  return,  which  was  to  be  at  the  latefl  not  over 
nine  days  from  the  time  of  their  departure,  fo  that  we  might 
know  whether  to  expe6l  them  or  not,  and  be  able  to  return 
to  Tadouffac.  This  they  agreed  to,  and  a  canoe  left  with 
this  purpofe. 

On  the  fifth  of  July  a  canoe  arrived  from  the  Algonquins, 
who  were  to  come  to  the  number  of  three  hundred.  From 
it  we  learned  that  the  canoe  which  had  fet  out  from  us  had 
arrived  in  their  country,  and  that  their  companions,  wearied 
by  their  journey,  were  refting,  and  that  they  would  foon  ar- 
rive, in  fulfilment  of  the  promife  they  had  made  ;  that  at  mofl 
they  would  not  be  more  than  eight  days  behindhand,  but  that 
there  would  be  only  twenty-four  canoes,  as  one  of  their  cap- 
tains and  many  of  their  comrades  had  died  of  a  fever  that 

had 


I 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


31 


had  broken  out  among  them.  They  alfo  faid  that  they  had 
font  many  to  the  war,  which  had  hindered  their  progrefs. 
We  determined  to  wait  for  them. 

But  finding  that  this  period  had  elapfed  without  their 
arrival,  Pont  Grave  fet  out  from  the  fall  on  the  eleventh  of 
the  month,  to  arrange  fome  matters  at  Tadouffac,  while  I 
flayed  to  await  the  favages. 

The  fame  day  a  patache  arrived,  bringing  provifions  for 
the  numerous  barques  of  which  our  party  confifted.  For 
our  brepd,  wine,  meat,  and  cider  had  given  out  fome  days 
before,  obliging  us  to  have  recourfe  to  fifliing,  the  fine  river 
water,  and  fome  radiflies  which  grow  in  great  abundance  in  the 
country;  otherwife  we  fliould  have  been  obliged  to  return. 
The  fame  day  an  Algonquin  canoe  arrived,  affuring  us  that 
on  the  next  day  the  tweuc  .-four  canoes  were  to  come,  twelve 
of  them  prepared  for  war. 

On  the  twelfth  the  Algonquins  arrived  with  fome  little 
merchandife.  Before  trafficking  they  made  a  prefent  to  a 
JMontagnais  Indian,  the  fon  of  Anadabijou,^"  who  had  lately 
died,  in  order  to  mitigate  his  grief  at  the  death  of  his 
father.  Shortly  after  they  refolved  to  make  fome  prefents 
to  all  the  captains  of  the  pataches.  They  gave  to  each  of 
them  ten  caftors,  faying  they  were  very  forry  they  had  no 
more,  but  that  the  war,  to  which  moft  of  them  were  going, 
was  the  reafon  ;  they  begged,  however,  that  what  they  offered 
might  be  accepted  in  good  part,  faying  that  they  were  all 
friends  to  us,  and  to  me,  vho  was  feated  near  them,  more 
than  to  all  the   others,   who   were  well  difpofed   towards 

them 

'^  Champlain's  orthography  is  here  Aronadabigeau.     Vide  Vol.  I.  pp.  236,  291. 


\ 


\1 


n 


II 


i  1 


32 


Voyages  of 


--s 


them  only  on  account  of  their  caflors,  and  had  not  always 
affifted  them  like  myfelf,  whom  thry  had  never  found  double- 
tongued  like  the  reft. 

I  replied  that  all  thofe  whom  they  faw  gathered  together 
were  their  friends ;  that,  in  cafe  an  opportunity  fliould  prefent 
itfelf,  they  would  not  fail  to  do  their  d  uty ;  that  we  were  all 
friends ;  that  they  fliould  continu'j  to  be  well  difpofed 
towards  us ;  that  we  would  make  them  prefents  in  return 
for  thofe  they  gave  us ;  and  that  they  fliould  trade  in  peace. 
This  they  did,  and  carried  away  what  they  could. 

The  next  day  they  brought  me  privately  forty  caflors, 
affuring  me  of  their  friendfliip,  and  that  they  were  very  glad 
of  the  conclufion  which  I  had  reached  with  the  favages  who 
had  gone  away,  and  that  we  fliould  make  a  fettlement  at 
the  fall,  which  I  afTured  them  we  would  do,  making  them  a 
prefent  in  return. 

After  everything  had  been  arranged,  they  determined  to 
go  and  obtain  the  body  of  Outetoucos,  who  was  drowned 
at  the  fall,  as  we  have  before  mentioned.  They  went  to 
the  fpot  where  he  had  been  buried,  difmterred  him  and 
carried  him  to  the  ifland  of  St.  Helene,  where  they  per- 
formed their  ufual  ceremony,  which  is  to  fmg  and  dance 
over  the  grave  with  feftivities  and  banquets  following.  I 
afked  them  why  they  difmterred  the  body.  They  replied 
that  if  their  enemies  fliould  find  the  grave  they  would  do 
fo,  and  divide  the  body  into  feveral  pieces,  which  they  would 
then  hang  to  trees  in  order  to  offend  them.  For  this  reafon 
they  faid  that  they  transferred  it  to  a  place  off  from  the 
road,  and  in  the  mofl  fecret  manner  poffible. 

On   the    15th   there   arrived   fourteen  canoes,  the  chief 

over 


Sieicr  de  Champlam, 


33 


over   which   was   named    Tccouehata.      Upon    their   arrival 
all  the  other  favages  took  up  arms  and   performed  fome 
circular  evolutions.      After   going  around  and   dancing  to 
their   fatisfaction,   the    others    who   were    in    their    canoes 
alfo   began    to   dance,   making   various    movements  of  the 
body.     After   finifhing   their   finging,   thoy   went   on   fliore 
with  a  fmall  quantity  of  furs,  and  made  prefents  fimilar  to 
thofe  of  the  others.     Thefe  were  reciproiated  by  fome  of 
equal  value.     The  next  day  they  trafficked  in  what  little 
they  had,  and  prcfented  me  perfonally  with  thirty  caflors, 
for  which  I  made  them  an  acknowledgment.     They  begged 
me  to  continue  my  good  will  to  them,  which  I  promiled  to 
do.     They  fpoke  with  me  very  efpecially  refpeding  certain 
explorations  towards  the  north,  which  might  prove  advan- 
tageous ;  and  faid,  in  reference  to  them,  that  if  any  one  of 
my  company  would  like  to  go  with  them,  they  would  fliow 
him  what  would  pleafe  me,  and  would  treat  him  as  one  of 
their  own  children.     I  promifed  to  give  them  a  young  man, 
at  which  they  were  much  pleafed.     When  he  took  leave  of 
me  to  go  with  them,  I  gave  him  a  detailed  memorandum  of 
what  he  was  to  obferve  while  with  them.     After  they  had 
bartered  what  little  they  had,  they  feparated  into  three  par- 
ti-s;  one  for  the  war,  another  for  the  great  fall,  another  for 
a  little  river  which  flows  into  that  of  the  great  fall.     Thus 
they  fet  out  on  the   iSth  day  of  the  m.onth,  on  which  day 
we  alfo  departed. 

The  fame  day  we  made  the  thirty  leagues  from  this  fall  to 
the  Trois  Rivieres.  On  the  19th  we  arrived  at  Quebec,  which 
IS  alfo  thirty  leagues  from  the  Trois  Rivieres.  I  induced  the 
mofl  of  thofe  in  each  boat  to  flay  at  the  fettlement,  when  I 

5  had 


1 


\\\ 


^■^ 


*  ; 


34 


Voyages  of 


had  fome  repairs  made  and  fome  rofe-buflies  fet  out.  I  had 
alfo  fome  oak  wood  put  on  board  to  make  trial  of  in  France, 
not  only  for  marine  wainscoting,  but  alfo  for  windows.  The 
next  day,  the  20th  of  July,  I  fet  out.  On  the  23d  I  arrived 
at  Tadouffac,  whence  I  refolved  to  return  to  France,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  advice  of  Pont  Grave.  After  arranging 
matters  relating  to  our  fettlement,  according  to  the  direc- 
tions which  Sieur  de  Monts  had  given  me,  I  embarked  in 
the  veffel  of  Captain  Tibaut,  of  La  Rochelle,  on  the  nth 
of  Augufl.  During  our  paffage  we  had  an  abundance  of 
fifli,  fuch  as  oradcs,  mackerel,  and  pilotcs,  the  latter  fimilar 
to  herrings,  and  found  about  certain  planks  covered  with 
potijje-picds,  a  kind  of  fliell-filh  attaching  itfelf  thereto,  and 
growing  there  gradually.  Sometimes  the  number  of  thefe 
little  fifli  is  fo  great  that  it  is  furprifing  to  behold.  We 
caught  alfo  fome  porpoifes  and  other  fpecies  of  fifli.  The 
weather  was  favorable  as  far  as  Belle  Ifle,^^  where  we  were 
overtaken  by  fogs,  which  continued  three  or  four  days.  The 
weather  then  becoming  fair,  we  fighted  Alvert,^^  and  arrived 
at  La  Rochelle  on  the  i6th  of  September,  161 1. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

2»  Belle  He.     An  iHand  on  the  coaft     Marennes,  which  they  fighted  as  they 
of  Brittany  in  France.  approached  La  Rochelle. 

22  Alvert.      Arvert,    a  village  near 


I'     ^\ 

ll', 


Sietiv  de  Champlain, 


35 


^1 


CHAPTER  IV. 


A 


Arkival  at  La  Rochelle. — Dissolution  of  the  Partnership  between 

SlEUR  DE  MONTS  AND  HIS  ASSOCIATES,  THE   SlEL'RS   CuLIEK    AND    IE    Gen- 

DRE  OF  RouEN.  — Jealousy  of  the  French  in  regard  to  the  New 
Discoveries  in  New  France. 

PON  my  arrival  at  La  Rochelle  I  proceeded  to 
vifit  Sieur  de  Monts,  at  Pons--''  in  Saintonire, 
to  inform  him  of  all  that  had  occurred  durinir 
the  expedition,  and  of  the  promife  Avhich  the 
OchatcgLiins-^  and  Algonquins  had  made  me, 
on  condition  that  we  would  affifl  them  in  their  wars,  as  I  had 
agreed.  Sieur  de  Monts,  after  liflcning  to  it  all,  determined 
to  go  to  the  Court  to  arrange  the  matter.  I  ftarted  before 
him  to  go  there  alfo.  But  on  the  way  I  was  unfortunately 
detained  by  the  falling  of  a  horfe  upon  me,  which  came  near 
killing  me.  This  fall  detained  me  fome  time;  but  as  foon 
as  I  had  fufificiently  recovered  from  its  effects  I  fet  out  again 
to  complete  my  journey  and  meet  Sieur  de  Monts  at  Fon- 
tainebleau,  who,  upon  his  return  to  Paris,  had  a  conference 
with  his  affociates.  The  latter  were  unwillino:  to  continue 
in  the  auociation,  as  there  was  no  commifllon  forbidding  any 
others  from  going  to  the  new  difcoveries  and  trading  with 
the  inhabitants  of  tl-\e  country.  Sieur  de  Monts,  feeing  this, 
bargained  with  them  for  what  remained  at  the  fettlement  at 

Quebec, 

23  De  IMonts  was  governor  of  Pons,  24  Ochatepiins.    VideVo\.  III.   Qtie- 

a  town   fituated  about  ten  miles  fouth  bee  ed.  p.  !'6(>    Thcv  were  Hurons,  and 

of  Saintes,  in  the    prefent   department  Ochateguin  is  fuppofed  to  have  been  one 

of  Lower  Charente.  of  theirchiefs.     F/^^  Vol.  H.  note  321. 


l! 


f  ( 


36 


Voyages  of 


, 


W  \ 


i  I 


I 


it 


.(    M' 


i\ 


Quebec,  in  confideration  of  a  fum  of  money  which  he  gave 
them  for  their  fliare.  He  fent  alio  fome  men  to  take  care  of 
tlie  fettlement,  in  the  expectation  of  obtaining  a  comniiffion 
from  His  Majclty.  But  while  he  was  engaged  in  the  purfuit 
of  this  objccl  fome  important  matters  demanded  his  atten- 
tion, fo  that  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  it,  and  he  left  me 
the  duty  of  taking  the  neceffary  fleps  for  it.  As  I  was  about 
arranging  the  matter,  the  velTels  arrived  from  New  I*" ranee 
with  men  from  our  fettlement,  thofe  whom  I  had  fent  into 
the  interior  with  the  favages.  They  brought  me  very  im- 
portant information,  faying  that  more  than  two  hundred 
favages  had  come,  expecting  to  find  me  at  the  great  fall 
of  St.  Louis,  where  I  had  appointed  a  rendezvous,  with  the 
intention  of  affifling  them  according  to  their  requefl:.  But, 
finding  that  I  had  not  kept  my  promife,  they  were  greatly 
difjileafed.  Our  men,  however,  made  fome  apologies,  which 
were  accepted,  and  affured  them  that  they  would  not  fail  to 
come  the  following  year  or  never.  The  favages  agreed  to 
this  on  their  part.  But  feveral  others  left  the  old  trading, 
ftation  of  Tadouffac,  and  came  to  the  fall  with  many  fmall 
barques  to  fee  if  they  could  engage  in  traffic  with  thefe 
people,  whom  they  affured  that  I  was  dead,  although  our 
men  lloutly  declared  the  contrary.  This  fliows  how  jealoufy 
againfi;  meritorious  objc61s  gets  poffeffion  of  bad  natures; 
and  all  they  want  is  that  men  fliould  expofe  themfelves  to  a 
thoufand  dangers,  to  difcover  peoples  and  territories,  that 
they  themfelves  may  have  the  profit  and  others  the  hard- 
fliip.  It  is  not  reafonable  that  one  fliould  capture  the  lamb 
and  another  go  off  with  the  fleece.  If  they  had  been  willing 
to  participate  in  our  difcoveries,  ufe  their  means,  and  rifk 

their 


Sietcr  dc  Champlain,  37 

their  perfons,  they  would  have  given  evidence  of  their  honor 
and  noblenefs,  but  on  the  contrary  they  fliow  clearly  that 
they  are  impelled  by  pure  malice  that  they  may  enjoy  the 
fruit  of  our  labors  equally  with  ourfelves. 

On  this  fubjedl,  and  to  fliow  how  many  perfons  drive  to 
pervert  praifcworthy  entcrprifes,  I  will  inllance  again  the 
people  of  St.  Malo  and  others,  who  fay  that  the  profit  of 
thefe  difcoveries  belongs  to  them,  fmcc  Jacques  Cartier, 
who  fird:  vifited  Canada  and  the  iflands  of  New  Foundland, 
was  from  their  city ;  as  if  that  city  had  contributed  to  the 
expenfes  of  thefe  difcoveries  of  Jacques  Cartier,  who  went 
there  by  the  order  and  at  the  expenfe  of  King  Francis  I. 
in  the  years  1534  and  1535  to  difcover  thefe  territories  now 
called  New  France.  If  then  Cartier  made  any  difcovery  at 
the  expenfe  of  His  Majcfty,  all  his  fubjcds  have  the  fame 
rights  and  liberties  in  them  as  the  people  of  St.  Malo,  who 
cannot  prevent  others  who  make  farther  difcoveries  at  their 
own  expenfe,  as  is  fliown  in  the  cafe  of  the  difcoveries  above 
defcribed,  from  profiting  by  them  in  peace.  Hence  they 
ought  not  to  claim  any  rights  if  they  themfelves  make  no 
contributions,  and  their  reafons  for  doing  fo  are  weak  and 
foolifli. 

To  prove  more  conclufively  that  they  who  maintain  this 
pofition  do  fo  without  any  foundation,  let  us  fuppofe  that 
a  Spaniard  or  other  foreigner  had  difcovered  lands  and 
wealth  at  the  expenfe  of  the  King  of  France.  Could  the 
Spaniards  or  other  foreigners  claim  thefe  difcoveries  and 
this  wealth  on  the  ground  that  the  difcoverer  was  a  Spaniard 
or  foreigner?  No!  There  w  mid  be  no  fenfe  in  doing  fo, 
and  they  would  always  belong  to  France.    Hence  the  people 

of 


U     >  '^ 


Pi 


i 


: 


!     . 


■'  ji  fl  lii 


f 


38 


Voyages  of  Champlatn, 


of  St.  Malo  cannot  make  thcfc  claims  for  the  reafon  which 
tl'jcy  give,  that  Carticr  was  a  citizen  of  their  city;  and  tlicy 
can  only  take  cognizance  of  the  fad  that  he  was  a  citizen 
of  theirs,  and  render  him  accordingly  the  praife  which  is 
his  due. 

Befidcs,  Carticr  in  the  voyage  which  he  made  never  paffed 
the  great  fall  of  St.  Louis,  and  made  no  difcoveries  north  or 
fouth  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence.  His  narratives  give  no  evi- 
dence of  it,  in  which  he  fpeaks  only  of  the  river  Sagucnay, 
the  Trois  Rivieres  and  St.  Croix,  where  he  fpent  the  winter 
in  a  fort  near  our  fettlemcnt.  Had  he  done  fo,  he  would  not 
have  failed  to  mention  it,  any  more  than  what  he  has  men- 
tioned, which  fhows  that  he  left  all  the  upper  part  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  from  Tadouffac  to  the  great  ^  M,  being  a  territory 
difficult  to  explore,  and  that  he  was  villing  to  expofe 
himfelf  or  let  his  barques  engage  in  the  venture.  So  that 
what  he  did  has  borne  no  fruit  until  four  years  ago,  when  we 
made  our  fettlement  at  Quebec,  after  which  1  ventured  to 
pafs  the  fall  to  help  the  favages  in  their  wars,  and  fend 
among  them  men  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  the  people, 
to  learn  their  mode  of  living,  and  the  chara6ler  and  extent 
of  their  territory.  After  devoting  ourfelves  to  labors  which 
have  been  fo  fuccefsful,  is  it  not  jufl  that  we  fliould  enjoy 
their  fruits.  His  Majefly  not  having  contributed  anything 
to  aid  thofe  who  have  affumed  the  refpcnfibilities  of  thefe 
undertakings  up  to  the  prefent  time.  I  hope  that  God  will 
at  fome  time  incline  him  to  do  fo  much  for  His  fervice,  his 
own  glory  and  the  welfare  of  his  fubje6ls,  as  to  bring  many 
new  peoples  to  the  knowledge  of  our  faith,  that  they  may  at 
laft  enjoy  the  heavenly  kingdom. 


NOTE. 

Champiain  here  introduces  \n  explanation  of  his  two  geographical  maps  of 
New  France,  and  likcwife  his  me'liod  of  determining  a  meridian  line.  For  con- 
venience of  ufe  the  maps  are  plac^^d  at  the  end  of  this  work,  and  for  the  fame 
reafon  thefc  explanations  are  carried  forward  to  p.  219,  in  immediate  proximity 
to  the  maps  which  they  explain.  —  Editou. 


^^"k"^ 


J>f9t 


msmmmmmm 


it 


fDif 


IN' 


<l 


I 


FOURTH    VOYAGE 


OF 


SI  EUR     DE     CHAMPLAIN, 

CAPTAIN  IN  ORDINARY  TO  THE   KING  IN  THE  MARINE,  AND 

LIEUTENANT   OF    MONSEIGNEUR   LE   PRINCE   DE 

CONDE  in   new   FRANCE, 

MADE    IN    THE    YEAR     1613. 


■'1 


m 


f^ 


m 


mm. 


V'  i 


!  \ 


i 


!  M, 


l>n 


J  i  I 


( 11 


To  the  very  high,  powerful,  and  excellent 
Henri  de  Bourbon,  Prince  de  Conde,  Firft  Prince 
of  the  Blood,  Firft  Peer  of  France,  Governor 
and  Lieutenant  of  His  Majefty  in  Guienne. 

Monfeignetir, 

The  Honor  that  I  have  received  from  your  Highnefs  in 
being  intrti/tcd  with  the  difcovery  of  New  France  has  i?ifpired 
i?t  me  the  dcfire  to  purfue  with  flilL  greater  pains  and  zeal 
than  ever  the  fearch  for  the  North  Sea.  With  this  objcil  in 
view  I  have  made  a  voyage  during  the  pafl year,  1613,  relying 
on  a  man  whom  I  had  fcnt  there  arid  who  affured  me  he  had 
fccn  it,  as  you  will  perceive  in  this  brief  narrative,  zuhich  I 
venture  to  prcfent  to  your  Excellence,  ajtd  in  which  arc  par' 
ticularly  de_ bribed  all  the  toils  and  fifferings  I  have  had  in 
the  undertaking.  But  although  I  regret  having  lofl  this  year 
fo  far  as  the  mai7t  objeil  is  concerned,  yet  my  cxpeflation,  as 
in  the  firfl  voyage,  of  obtahmig  more  dcfijiite  information 
refpeHing  the  fubjcH  from  the  favages,  has  been  filfilled. 
They  have  told  me  about  various  lakes  and  rivers  in  the 
north,  in  viezu  of  which,  afide  from  their  affurance  that  they 
know  of  this  fea,  it  fcems  to  me  eafy  to  conclude  from  the 
maps  that  it  cannot  be  far  from  the  farthcfl  difcoveries  I 
have  hitherto  made.  Awaiting  a  favorable  time  and  op- 
portunity to  profcc2ite  my  plans,  and  praying  God  to  prcferve 
you,  mofl  happy  Prince,  in  all  profperity,  wherein  conffls  my 
highefl  wifJi  for  your  greatnefs,  I  remain  in  the  quality  of 

Your  mofl  humble  and  devoted  fervant, 

SAMUEL  DE  CHAMPLAIN. 


' 


I 


FOURTH    VOYAGE 

OF 

SIEUR     DE     CHAMPLAIN, 

CAPTAIN   IN  ORDINARY  TO  THE  KING  IN  THE  MARINE,  AND 

LIEUTENANT   OF   MONSEIGNEUR   LE   PRINCE   DE 

CONDfi    IN    NEW   FRANCE, 

MADE     IN     THE    YEAR     1613. 


CHAPTER  I. 

^Ttv^   'V   '^^'^   """^   "^^^'^^    °^   REGULATION. -A   COMMISSION    OB- 

tmL  PnT      T""''''  ^"^  ^""^  SAME.  -  Publication  at  last  in  all 
THE  Ports  of  Franxe. 

HE  defire  which  I  have  always  had  of  making 
new  difcoveries  in  New  France,  for  the  good, 
profit,  and  glory  of  the  French  name,  and  a^t  the 
fame  time  to  lead  the  poor  natives  to  the  knowl- 
edge  of  God,  has  led  me  to  fcek  more  and  more 
for  the  greater  facility  of  this  imdcrtaking,  which  can  only 
be  fecured  by  means  of  good  regulations.  For,  fince  indi- 
viduals defire  to  gather  the  fruits  of  my  labor  without  con- 
tributmg  to  the  expenfes  and  great  outlays  requifite  for  the 
fupport  of  the  fettlements  neceffary  to  a  fuccefsful  refult, 

this 


T^fnts---.^^iiia — ?;"■. .  ■-  -. 


w 


>-„ 


II 


I  ' 


I    i' 


ili 


V 


^  n;.!!' 


44 


Voyages  of 


this  branch  of  trade  is  ruined  by  the  greedinefs  of  gain, 
which  is  fo  great  that  it  caufcs  merchants  to  fet  out  prema- 
turely in  order  to  arrive  firfl:  in  this  country.  By  this  means 
they  not  only  become  involved  in  the  ice,  but  alfo  in  their 
own  ruin,  for,  from  trading  with  the  favages  in  a  fecret 
manner  and  offering  through  rivalry  with  each  other  more 
merchandife  dian  is  neceffary,  they  get  the  worft  of  the 
bargain.  Thus,  while  purpofing  to  deceive  their  affociates, 
they  generally  deceive  themfelves. 

For  this  reafon,  when  I  returned  to  France  on  the  loth 
of  September,  1611,  I  fpoke  to  Sieur  de  Monts  about  the 
matter,  who  approved  of  my  fuggeflions ;  but  his  engage- 
ments not  allowing  him  to  profccute  the  matter  at  court, 
he  left  to  me  its  whole  management. 

I  then  drew  up  a  flatement,  which  I  prefented  to  Prefi- 
dent  Jeannin,  who,  being  a  man  defirous  of  feeing  good 
undertakings  profper,  commended  my  proje6t,  and  encour- 
aged me  in  its  profecution. 

But  feeling  affurcd  that  thofe  who  love  to  fifh  in  troubled 
waters  would  be  vexed  at  fuch  regulations  and  fcek  means 
to  thwart  them,  it  feemed  advifablc  to  throw  myfelf  into  the 
hands  of  fome  power  whofe  authority  would  prevail  over 
their  jealoufy. 

Now,  knowing  Monfeigneur  le  Comte  de  Soiffons  "^  to  be 
a  prince  devout  and  well  difpofed  to  all  holy  undertakings, 
I  addreffed  myfelf  to  him  through  Sieur  de  Beaulieu,  coun- 
cillor, and  almoner  ir 


rdinary 


'o' 


upon 
him 


**  For  a  brief  notice  of  the  Count  de  Soiffons,  vide  Vol.  I.  note  74;  alfo  note 
by  Laverdi^re,  Quebec  ed.,  p,  433. 


Il> 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


45 


him  the  importance  of  the  matter,  fetting  forth  the  means 
of  regulating  it,  the  harm  which  diforcler  had  heretofore 
produced,  and  the  total  ruin  with  which  it  was  threatened, 
to  the  great  diflionor  of  the  French  name,  unlcfs  God  fhould 
raile  up  fome  one  who  would  reanimate  it  and  give  promile 
of  fecuring  for  it  fome  day  the  fuccefs  which  had  hitherto 
been  little  anticipated.  After  he  had  been  informed  in  re- 
gard to  all  the  details  of  the  fcheme  and  feen  the  map  of 
the  country  which  I  had  made,  he  promifed  me,  under  the 
fan6lion  of  the  King,  to  undertake  the  protectorate  of  the 
enterprife. 

I  immediately  after  prefented  to  His  Majefty,  and  to  the 
gentlemen  of  his  Council,  a  petition  accompanied  by  articles, 
to  the  end  that  it  might  pleafe  him  to  iffue  regulations  for 
the  undertaking,  without  which,  as  I  have  faid,  it  would  fail. 
Accordingly  his  Majefty  gave  the  direction  and  control  to 
the  before-mentioned  Count,  who  then  honored  me  with  the 
lieutenancy. 

Now  as  I  was  preparing  to  publifli  the  commiffion^*'  of 
the  King  in  all  the  ports  and  harbors  of  i' ranee,  there 
occurred  the  ficknefs  and  greatly  lamented  death  of  the 
Count,  which  poftponed  fomewhat  the  undertaking.  But 
his  Majefty  at  once  committed  the  diredion  to  Monfeigneur 
le  Prince,^'  who  proceeded  in  the  execution  of  its  duties, 
and,  having  in  like  manner  honored  me  with  the  lieuten- 
ancy,^^ directed  me  to  go  on  with  the  publication  of  the  com- 

miffion. 

2^  This  Commiffion,  dated  0(5lober  15,         "^  Champlain    was    appointed    lieu- 

1612,  will  be  found  in  Ciiamplain's  iffue  tenant  of  the  Prince  de  Condd  on  the 

of  1632.     Vide  Queliec  ed.,  p.  8S7.  22(1  day  of  Noveml)er,  1612.     Vide  iffue 

"  Henry  de  Bourbon.     Vide  Vol.  I.  of  1632,  Quebec  ed.,  p.  1072. 
p.  113,  note  75. 


s  \ 


\ 


"•miitimmm 


mmn 


U 


W 


'MS         1 


• 

1  • ' 

'^"i 

II  ■    : 

V       I 

'        1          1 

■     5-      ' 

46 


Voyages  of 


miflion.  But  as  foon  as  this  was  done,  fome  marplots,  who 
had  no  intcreft  in  the  matter,  importuned  him  to  annul  it, 
reprcfenting  to  him  as  they  claimed  the  interefts  of  all  the 
merchants  of  France,  who  had  no  caufe  for  complaint,  fmce 
all  were  received  into  the  affociation  and  could  not  there- 
fore juflly  be  aggrieved.  Accordingly,  their  evil  intention 
being  recognized,  they  were  difmiffed,  with  permiffion  only 
to  enter  into  the  affociation. 

During  thefe  altercations,  it  was  impoffible  for  me,  as  the 
time  of  my  departure  was  very  near  at  hand,  to  do  any- 
thing for  the  habitation  at  Quebec,  for  repairing  and  enlarg- 
ing which  I  defired  to  take  out  fome  workmen.  It  was 
accordingly  neceffary  to  go  out  this  year  without  any  farther 
organization.  The  paffports  of  Monfeigneur  le  Prince  were 
made  out  for  four  veffels,  which  were  already  in  readinefs 
for  the  voyage,  viz.  three  from  Rouen  and  one  from  La 
Rochelle,  on  condition  that  each  fliould  furnifli  four  men  for 
my  affiftance,  not  only  in  my  difcoveries  but  in  war,  as  I 
defired  to  keep  the  promife  which  I  had  made  to  the  Ocha- 
taiguins^'^  in  the  year  161 1,  to  affifl  them  in  their  wars  at  the 
time  of  my  next  voyage. 

As  I  was  preparing  to  fet  out,  I  was  informed  that  the 
Parliamentary  Court  of  Rouen  would  not  permit  the  publi- 
cation of  the  commiffion  of  the  King,  becaufe  his  Majefly 
had  referved  to  himfelf  and  his  Council  the  fole  cognizance 
of  the  differences  which  might  arife  in  this  matter ;  added  to 
which  was  the  fa6t  that  the  merchants  of  St.  Malo  were  alfo 
oppofed  to  it.     This  greatly  embarraffed  me,  and  obliged 


me 


*•  Ochateguins,  or  Hurons. 


Siettr  de  Chainplain.  47 

me  to  make  three  journeys  to  Rouen,  with  orders  of  his 
Majefty,  in  conf- deration  of  which  the  Court  dcfiftcd  from 
their  inhibition,  and  the  affumptions  of  the  opponents  were 
overruled.  The  commiffion  was  then  publifhed  in  all  the 
ports  of  Normandy. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Departure  from  France.  —  What  took  place  up  to  our  Arrival 

AT  THE  Falls. 

SET  out  from  Rouen  on  the  5th  of  March  for 
Honfleur,  accompanied  by  Sieur  L'Angc,  to 
affift  me  in  my  explorations,  and  in  war  if  occa- 
fion  fliould  require. 

On  the  next  day,  the  6th  of  tlie  month,  we 
embarked  in  the  veffel  of  Sieur  de  Pont  Grave,  immediately 
fetting  fail,  with  a  favorable  wind. 

On  the  loth  of  April  we  fighted  the  Grand  Bank,  where 
we  feveral  times  tried  for  fifli,  but  without  succefs. 

On  the  15th  we  had  a  violent  gale,  accompanied  by  rain 
and  hail,  which  was  followed  by  another,  lafting  forty-eight 
hours,  and  fo  violent  as  to  caufe  the  lofs  of  feveral  veffels  on 
the  ifland  of  Cape  Breton. 

On  the  2 1  ft  we  fighted  the  iflnnd  and  Cap  de  Raye.^*^  On 
the  29th  the  Montagnais  favages,  perceiving  us  from  All 
Devils'  Point,^^  threw  themfelves  into  their  canoes  and  came 

to 

8»  The  ijland  refers  to  New  Found-  si  jsjow  called  Point  aux  Vaches.     It 

land.      Cap    de  Raye,  ftill    known  as  was  fometimes  called  All-Devils'  Point. 

Cape    Kay,   was    on    the   fouthweftern  F/</^  ;iote  n6.  Vol.  I   d  21; 

angle  of  New  Foundland.  ^'    ^^' 


I 


i 


' 


f  ? 


m\' 


48 


Voyages  of 


to  meet  us,  being  fo  thin  and  hideouj-looking  that  I  did  not 
recognize  them.  At  once  they  began  crying  for  bread,  fay- 
ing that  they  were  dying  of  hunger.  This  led  us  to  con- 
clude that  the  winter  had  not  been  fevere,  and  conlequently 
the  hunting  poor,  which  matter  we  have  alluded  to  in  pre- 
vious voyages. 

Having  arrived  on  board  of  our  veffel  they  examined  the 
faces  of  all,  and  a?  I  was  not  to  be  feen  anywhere  they  aflced 
where  JNIonficur  de  Champlain  was,  and  were  anfwered  that 
I  had  remained  in  France.  But  this  they  would  not  think 
of  belie\ing,  and  an  old  man  among  them  came  to  me  in  a 
corner  where  I  was  walking,  not  defiring  to  be  recognized 
as  yet,  and  taking  me  by  the  ear,  for  he  fufpected  who  it 
was,  faw  the  fear  of  the  arrow  wound,  which  I  received  a*" 
the  defeat  of  the  Iroquois.  At  this  he  cried  out,  and  all  the 
others  after  him,  with  great  demonflrations  of  joy,  faying, 
Your  people  are  awaiting  you  at  the  harbor  of  Tadouffac. 

The  fame  day  we  arrived  at  Tadouffac,  and  although  we 
had  fct  out  laft,  neverthelefs  arrived  firft,  Sicur  Boyer  of 
Rouen  arriving  with  the  fame  tide.  From  this  it  is  evident 
that  to  fet  out  before  the  feafon  is  fimply  rufhing  into  the 
ice.  When  we  had  anchored,  our  friends  came  out  to  us, 
and,  after  informing  us  how  everything  was  at  the  habita- 
tion, began  to  drefs  three  outardcs^  and  two  hares,  which 

they 


^^  Oittanfcs.  Sometimes  written  hoic- 
tardcs,  and  Oltardcs.  Tlic  name  ou- 
tarde  or  buflard,  tlie  otis  ofornitiiologifls, 
a  land  bird  of  Europe,  was  applied  to  a 
fpecies  of  goofe  in  Canada  at  a  very  early 
period. 

The  outarde  is  mentioned  by  Cartier 
in  1535,  and  the  name  may  have  been 


originally  applied  by  the  fiflicrmen  and 
fur-traders  at  a  much  earlier  neriod, 
doubtlefs  on  account  of  fome  lancied 
refcmblance  which  they  faw  to  the 
leirer  bullard  or  outarde.  which  was 
about  the  fize  of  the  Englifli  pheafant. 
Vide  Pennaiifs  BritijJt  Zoology,  Vol.  I. 
P-  379-     Cartier,  Champlain,  Lefcarbot, 


i 


J. 


Sic'iir  dc  Champlain. 


49 


they  had  brought,  throwing  the   entrails   overboard,  after 
\vhich   the   poor  lavages   rulhed,  and,  like  faniilhed   beads, 

devoured 


Baron  La  I  Ionian,  Potlierie,  and  Charle- 
voix nH'iition  llie  outardc  in  catalogues 
ol  watcr-lowl  in  wliicli  oye,  thi'  ^oolc,  is 
likcwifc  mentioned.  Tiiey  very  clearly 
dillini^uilli  it  troni  the  clal's  which  they 
commonly  conlulered  oycs,  or  geele. 
Cartier,  tor  inilance,  fays,  II  y  a  aurU 
grand  nombre  d'oyleauix.  Icauoir  grues, 
li.ijncs,  ollariics,  oycs  Jaitinigcs,  blaiulifs, 
£r»  ^^rijcs.  Others  ipeak  of  ontardcs 
et  oycs,  They  do  not  generally  de- 
fcribe  it  witli  particularity.  Champlain, 
however,  in  defcribinc;'  the  turkey,  cocq 
d'hi'lc,  on  the  coall:  of  New  England, 
fays,  mtjjl  i^^yos  qu'-i'iie  oiitardtu  qui  cjl 
viie  (fpcce  iVoye.  Father  Pierre  Liiard 
writes,  <'/  an  incfnic  temps  Ics  ontardcs 
arriuciit  dn  i):id\\  qui  font  i^roj/is  can- 
fU's  an  double  dcs  ttojlrcs.  Vxww  thefe 
llatemcnts  it  is  ojjvious  that  tiie  outardc 
was  a  fpecies  of  goole,  but  was  fo  fmail 
that  it  could  well  be  defcrilied  as  a  large 
duck.  In  \ew  France  there  were  at 
lealt  four  fpecies  of  the  goofe.  wliich 
might  have  come  under  the  obfervatioa 
of  the  early  navigators  ard  explorers. 
We  give  them  in  tlie  order  cf  their  fize, 
as  defcribed  in  Coues'  Key  to  North 
American  Piirds. 

1.  Canada  (Joofe,  Brania  Canadenfis, 
ScoPOLi,  36  inches. 

2.  Snow  (joofe,  Aiifcr  hyperborcus, 
LiXN/r.us,  30  inches. 

3.  Am.  White-fronted  Goofe,  Aiifcr 
albifrons,  LinN/EU.s,  27  inches. 

4.  Prant  (]oofe,  J>ianta  beniicia, 
Scopoi  T.  24  inches. 

Kecu.ring  to  the  flatement  of  Cartier 
above  cited,  it  will  be  obferved  that  he 
mentions,  befides  the  outarde,  wild  geefe 
while  and  gray.  The  firll  and  largelT: 
of  the  four  fpecies  above  mentioned,  the 
Canada  goofe.  Brant  a  Canadcnjis,  is 
gray,  and  the  two  next,  the  Sncv  goofe 


and  White-fronted,  would  be  daffitied 
as  wldte.  This  dilpofcs  of  tluTc  of  the 
four  mentioned.  The  outarde  ot  Cartier 
would  therefore  be  the  fourth  fpecies  in 
the  lilt,  viz.  tiie  Print  goofe.  Branta  ber- 
niila.  This  is  the  fmallel'  fpecies  found 
on  our  northern  coalt,  and  miu'ht  natu- 
r.dly  be  dellril)ed,  as  Hated  by  Fatlier 
Piard.  as  a  lar^e  (hick.  It  is  obvious 
that  tlie  good  Fatlier  could  not  have 
defcribed  the  Canada  goofe,  the  largell 
of  the  four  fpecies,  as  a  large  duck,  anil 
the  white  geefe  have  never  been  fup- 
|iofcd  to  be  referred  to  under  the  name 
of  outarde.  The  Prant  goofe,  to  wliich 
all  the  evidence  which  we  have  been 
able  to  find  in  the  Canadian  authorities 
feems  to  point  as  the  outarde  of  early 
times,  is  common  in  our  m.irkets  in  its 
feafon.  but  our  m.irket-men,  unaccuf- 
tomed  to  mn.^e  fcienlitic  diliinctions,  are 
puzzled  to  decide  whetlur  it  (hould  be 
claffed  as  a  goofe  or  a  duck.  It  is  not 
improbable  that  the  early  voy  igcrs  to 
our  northern  latitudes,  unable  to  decide 
to  whicli  of  tliefe  cl.dVe^  tiiis  water-fou-1 
properly  belonged,  and  feeing  in  it  a 
fancied  refemblance  to  the  lefier  ou- 
tarde, with  wliich  tliey  were  familiar, 
gave  it  for  fike  of  the  riillinction,  but 
neverthelefs  inapjiropriatcly.  the  name  of 
outarde.  The  reader  is  referred  to  the 
following  authorities. 

I'idc  Ih-ii'f  Ri'cit  i)ar  Jacques  Cartier, 
1545,  D'Avezac  ed.,  p.  33:  Chainplaitt, 
Quebec  ed.,  p.  220  ;  Jifnitc  Relations, 
!6i6,  [).  10;  Lc  Grand  I'oya^e  dv  Pays 
des  J/urons,  par  Sagard,  Paris,  1632, 
p.  301  ;  Dictionaire  de  la  Lanj^ve  Uv- 
ronCs  par  Sagard,  Paris,  1632,  oyfeaux j 
Letters  to  the  Dntelie/.i  of  Le/dii^niercs, 
by  Fr.  Xa.  de  Charlevoix,  London.  1763, 
p.  88  ;  Le  yenne,  Relations  des  Jefnites, 
1633,  p.   4,    1636,   p.   47  ;    Hijloire  de 

VAmeriquc 


\ 


', 


^:/^ 


50 


Voyages  of 


devoured  diem  without  drawing.  They  alfo  fcraped  off 
witli  their  nails  the  fat  with  which  our  vclTel  had  been 
coated,  eating  it  gUittonoully  as  if  they  had  found  fomc 
great  delicacy. 

The  next  day  two  vcffels  arrived  from  St.  Malo,  which 
had  fet  out  before  the  oppofitions  had  been  fettled  and  the 
commiffion  been  publilhed  in  Normandy.  I  proceeded  on 
board,  accompanied  by  L'Ange.  The  Sieurs  de  la  Moinerie 
and  la  Tremblaye  were  in  command,  to  whom  I  read  the 
commiffion  of  the  King,  and  the  prohibition  againfl  violating 
it  on  penalties  attached  to  the  fame.  They  replied  that  they 
were  fubje(5ts  and  faithful  fervants  of  His  Majelly,  and  that 
they  would  obey  his  commands ;  and  I  then  had  attached  to 
a  pofl:  in  the  port  the  arms  and  commiffion  of  His  Majefty, 
that  no  ground  for  ignorance  might  be  claimed. 

On  the  2d  of  IVIay,  feeing  two  (hallops  equipped  to  go 
to  the  Falls,  I  embarked  with  the  before-mentioned  L'Anw 
in  one  of  them.  We  had  very  bad  weather,  fo  that  the 
mads  of  our  fliallop  were  broken,  and  had  it  not  been  for 
the  preferving  hand  of  God  we  fliould  have  been  loft,  as  was 
before  our  eyes  a  fliallop  from  St.  Malo,  which  was  going 
to  the  I  fie  d'Orleans,  thofe  on  board  of  which  however 
beiuGf  faved. 

On  the  7th  we  arrived  at  Quebec,  where  we  found  in  good 
condition  thofe  who  had  wintered  there,  they  not  having 
been  fick ;  they  told  us  that  the  winter  had  not  been  fevere, 
and  that  the  river  had  not  frozen.  The  trees  alfo  were 
beginning  to  put  forth  leaves  and  the  fields  to  be  decked 
with  flowers. 


VAtndnque    Scptentrioiiale,  par  de  la 
Potlierie,  Paris,   1722,  Vol.  I.  pp.   20, 


On 

172,  212,  308 ;  Lcfcarbot,  Hijloire  de  la 
A'otivcUe  France,  pp.  369,  582.  611. 


I 


i 


Sictir  dc  Chaviplaiit. 


51 


On  the  13th  we  fct  out  from  Quebec  for  the  Falls  of  St. 
Louis,  where  we  arrived  on  the  2ifl,  finding  there  one  of 
our  barques  which  had  fet  out  after  us  from  'J^idouUac,  and 
which  had  traded  Tome  with  a  Imall  troop  of  .Algonquins, 
who  came  from  the  war  with  the  Iroquois,  and  had  with 
them  two  prifoners.  Thole  in  the  barque  f^ave  them  to 
underfland  that  I  had  come  with  a  number  of  men  to  afllfl 
them  in  their  wars,  according  to  the  promife  I  had  made 
them  in  previous  years;  alfo  that  I  defired  to  go  to  their 
country  and  enter  into  an  alliance  with  all  their  friends,  at 
which  they  were  greatly  plealed.  And,  inaihuich  as  they 
were  delirous  of  returning  to  their  country  to  affure  their 
friends  of  their  victory,  lee  their  wives,  and  put  to  death 
their  prifoners  in  a  feflivc  taba<^ie,  they  left  us  pledges  of 
their  return,  which  they  promifed  fhould  be  before  the 
middle  of  the  firff  moon,  according  to  their  reckoning,  their 
fliields  made  of  wood  and  elk  leather,  and  a  part  of  their 
bows  and  arrows.  I  regretted  very  much  that  I  was  not 
prepared  to  go  with  them  to  their  country. 

Three  days  after,  three  canoes  arrived  with  Algonquins, 
who  had  come  from  the  interior,  with  fome  articles  of  mer- 
chandilc  which  they  bartered.  They  told  me  that  the  bad 
treatment  which  the  favagcs  had  received  the  year  before 
had  difcouraged  them  from  coming  any  more,  and  that  they 
did  not  believe  that  I  would  ever  return  to  their  country  on 
account  of  the  wrong  impreffions  which  thofe  jealous  of  me 
had  given  them  refpeding  me ;  wherefore  twelve  hundred 
men  had  gone  to  the  war,  having  no  more  hope  from  the 
French,  who,  they  did  not  believe,  would  return  again  to 
their  country. 

This 


I 
\ 


\ 


/ 


!! 


'  '! 


.1 


52 


Voyages  of 


This  intelligence  greatly  diflieartcned  the  merchants,  as 
they  had  made  a  great  purchafe  of  merchandife,  with  the 
expectation  that  the  lavages  would  come,  as  they  had  been 
accuftomed  to.  This  led  mc  to  refolve,  as  I  engaged  in  my 
explorations,  to  pafs  through  their  country,  in  order  to  en- 
courage thole  who  had  flayed  back,  with  an  affurance  of  the 
good  treatment  they  would  receive,  and  of  the  large  amount 
of  good  merchandife  at  the  I'^all,  and  alio  of  the  delire  I  had 
to  affirt  them  in  their  war.  For  carrying  out  this  purpofe 
I  requefled  three  canoes  and  three  favages  to  guide  us,  but 
after  much  difficulty  obtained  only  two  and  one  lavage,  and 
this  by  means  of  fome  prefents  made  them. 


CliAPTER   III. 

Departure  to  discover  the  North  Sea,  on  the  Ground  of  the  Re- 
port  MADE   ME    IN    REGARD    TO    IT.      DESCRIPTION    OF    SEVERAL    RiVERS, 

Lakes  and  Islands  ;  the  Falls  of  the  CHAUDifeRE  and  other  Falls. 

OW.  ;.s  I  had  only  two  canoes,  I  could  take  with 
me  but  four  men,  among  whom  was  one  named 
Nicholas  de  Vignau,  the  moft  impudent  liar  that 
has  been  iQ.Q.\\  for  a  long  time,  as  the  fequcl  of  this 
narrative  will  fliow.  He  had  formerly  fpent  the 
winter  with  the  favages,  and  I  had  fent  him  on  explorations 
the  preceding  years.  He  reported  to  me,  on  his  return  to 
Paris  in  i6i2,that  he  had  leen  the  North  Sea;  that  the  river 
of  the  Algonquins  came  from  a  lake  which  emptied  into  it ; 
and  that  in  feventeen  days  one  could  go  from  the  Falls  of 
St.  Louis  to  this  lea  and  back  again ;  that  he  had  feen  the 
wreck  and  debris  of  an  Englilh  fhip  that  had  been  wrecked, 

on 


B 

Siciir  dc  Champlain. 


53 


on  board  of  wluch  were  eic^hty  men,  who  had  cleaped  to 
the  fliorc,  and  whom  the  lavages  killed  becaufe  the  Kng- 
lifli  endeavored  to  take  from  them  by  fcjrce  their  Indian  corn 
and  other  necellaries  of  life;  and  that  he  had  feen  the  fcalps 
which  thole  lavages  had  llaycd  off,  according  to  their  cul- 
tom,  which  they  would  Ihow  me,  and  that  they  would  like- 
wife  give  me  a  young  Englilh  boy  whom  they  had  kept  for 
mc.  This  intelligence  had  greatly  plcafed  me,  for  I  thought 
that  I  had  almofl  found  that  for  which  I  had  for  a  lonu;  time 
been  learching.  Accordingly  I  enjoined  upon  him  to  tell  me 
the  truth,  in  order  that  I  might  inform  the  King,  and  warned 
him  that  if  he  gave  utterance  to  a  lie  he  was  putting  the 
rope  about  his  neck,  affuring  him  on  the  other  hand  that, 
if  his  narrative  were  true,  he  could  be  certain  of  being  well 
rewarded.  He  again  allured  me,  with  ftronger  oaths  than 
ever;  and  in  order  to  i)lay  his  role  better  he  gave  me  a 
defcription  of  the  country,  which  he  laid  he  had  made  as 
well  as  he  was  able.  Accordingly  the  confidence  wliich  I 
faw  in  him,  his  entire  frankncfs  as  it  feemed,  the  defcription 
which  he  had  prepared,  the  wreck  and  debris  of  the  fliip, 
and  the  things  above  mentioned,  had  an  appearance  of  prob- 
ability, in  connecflion  with  the  voyage  of  the  Englilli  to 
Labrador  in  1612,  where  they  found  a  flrait,  in  which  they 
failed  as  far  as  the  63d  degree  of  latitude  and  the  290th  of 
longitude,  wintering  at  the  53d  degree  and  lofmg  some  vef- 
fels,  as  their  report  proves."'^ 


^3  VideVoV  II.  p.  171,  note  297,  for 
an  account  of  Henry  Hudfon.  to  whom 
this  ilatement  refers.  De  Vignau  liad 
undoubtedly  heard  rumors  concerning 
Hudfon's  expedition    to   the   bay   that 


Thefe  circumflances  inducing 

me 

bears  his  name  in  the  years  1610-11, 
out  of  whicii  he  faliricated  the  fine  (lory 
of  his  pretended  difcovcry.  Longitude 
at  that  time  was  reckoned  from  the 
ifland  of  Ferro,  one  of  the  Canaries. 

Proceeding 


\ 


\ 


^^4^<- 


M 


■  ) 


ili 


f! 


54 


Voyages  of 


me  to  believe  that  what  he  faid  was  true,  I  made  a  report  of 
the  fame  to  the  Chancellor,'"^*  which  I  fliowed  to  Marflial 
de  Briffac,''^'  Prefidcnt  Jeannin,^"  and  other  Seigneurs  of  the 
Court,  who  told  me  that  I  ought  to  vifit  the  place  in  perfon. 
For  this  reafon  I  requeued  Sieur  Georges,  a  merch  nt  of  La 
Rochelle,  to  give  him  a  paffage  in  his  fliip,  which  he  will- 
ingly did,  and  during  the  voyage  he  queflioned  him  as  to 
his  obje6l  in  making  it ;  and,  fince  it  was  not  of  any  profit 
to  him,  he  afkcd  if  he  expedled  any  pay,  to  which  the  young 
man  anlwcred  that  he  did  not,  that  he  did  not  expe6t  any- 
thing from  any  one  but  the  King,  and  that  he  undertook 
the  voyage  only  to  fliow  me  the  North  Sea,  which  he  had 
feen.  He  made  an  afifidavit  of  this  at  La  Rochelle  before 
two  notaries. 

Now  as  I  took  leave  on  Whitfuntide,^^  of  all  the  principal 
men  to  whofe  prayers  I  commended  myfelf,  and  alfo  to  thofe 
of  all  others,  I  faid  to  him  in  their  prefence  that  if  what  he  had 

previoufly 


Proceeding  from  weft  to  caft,  the  290° 
wo'ild  pafs  through  Hudfon's  Bay,  as 
may  be  fcen  by  confulting  any  early 
French  map.  Vide  BeUin's  Carte  du 
Globe  Tcrrejlre,  1764. 

^■^  Nicholas  Brulart  de  Sillery,  who 
was  born  at  Sillery,  in  fiance,  in  1544, 
and  died  in  the  fame  place  in  1624.  He 
rendered  fignal  fervice  to  Henry  IV. 
Among  other  ])ublic  acts  he  negotiated 
the  peace  of  Vervins  between  France 
and  Spain  in  1598.  He  was  appointed 
grand  chancellor  of  France  in  1607. 
Henry  IV.  faid  of  him,  Avec  mon  chan- 
dler qui  ne  fait  pas  le  latin  et  mon  con- 
netable  (Henri  de  Montmorency),  qui 
ne  fait  ni  lire  iii  dcrire,  jo  puis  venir  a 
bout  des  affairs  les  plus  difficiles. 

3^  For  fome  account  of  Marfhal  de 
Briffac,  vide  Vol.  I.  p.  17,  note  16. 


^^  Vide  y  A.  I.  p.  112,  note  73.  Pref- 
ident  Jeanniu  was  a  moft  fuitable  per- 
fon to  confult  on  this  fubject,  as  he  was 
deeply  interelted  in  the  difcovery  of 
a  north wcit  paffage  to  India.  When 
minilter  at  the  Hague  he  addreffed  a 
letter  bearing  date  January  21ft,  1609, 
to  Henry  IV.  of  France,  containing  an 
account  of  his  indireft  negotiations  with 
Henry  Hudfon,  for  a  voyage  to  difcover 
a  fliorter  paffage  to  India.  A  copy  of 
this  interelting  letter,  both  in  French 
and  Englifli,  may  be  found  in  Henry 
Hudfon  the  Navigator,hy  G.  1\I.  Aflier, 
LL.D.,  Hakluyt  Society,  London,  i860, 
p.  244. 

s''  The  feftival  of  Whitfunday  oc- 
curred on  the  26th  May.  Laverdiere 
in  loco. 


.ii.-:i:ltf::i.i_j.L.:  -J— --^iS.^ajL.  1 


i 


Sieur  de  Chainplam, 


SS 


previoufly  faid  was  not  true  he  muft  not  give  me  the  trouble 
to  undertake  the  journey,  which  involved  many  dangers. 
Again  he  affirmed  all  that  he  had  faid,  on  peril  of  his  life. 

Accordingly,  our  canoes  being  laden  with  fome  provifions, 
our  arms,  and  a  few  articles  of  merchandile  for  making  prcl- 
ents  to  the  lavages,  I  let  out  on  Monday  the  27th  of  May 
from  Ifle  St.  Helene  with  four  Frenchmen  and  one  favage, 
a  parting  falute  being  given  me  with  fome  roi.iids  from 
fmall  pieces.  This  day  we  went  only  <^o  the  Falls  of  St. 
Loui^^  a  league  up  the  river,  the  bad  weather  not  allowing 
us  to  go  any  farther. 

On  the  29th  we  paffed  the  Falls,^^  partly  by  land,  partly  by 
water,  it  being  neceffary  for  us  to  carry  our  canoes,  clothes, 
victuals,  and  arms  on  our  Ihoulders,  no  fmall  matter  for  per- 
fons  not  accuflomed  to  it.  After  going  two  leagues  beyond 
the  Falls,  we  entered  a  lake,'^^  about  twelve  leagues  in  circuit, 
into  which  three  rivers  empty ;  one  coming  from  the  weft, 
from  the  diredlion  of  the  Ochatcguins,  diftant  from  one 
hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  leagues  from  the  great 
Falls ;  '^'^  another  from  the  fouth  and  the  country  of  the 
Iroquois,  a  like  diflance  off;"  and  the  other  from  the  north 
and  the  country  of  the  Algonquins  and  Nebicerini,  alfo 
about  the  fame  dillance.^     This  river  on  the  north,  accord- 


^^  The  Falls  of  St.  Louis. 

**  Lake  St.  Louis. 

*''  Cliamplain  is  here  fpeaking  of  the 
river  St.  Lawrence,  wliich  flows  into 
Lal<e  St.  Louis  iliglitly  fouth  of  weft. 

^1  Riviere  cle  Loup,  now  known  as 
the  Chateauguay. 

*^  The  River  Ottawa  or  a  branch  of 
it  flows  into  Lake  St.  Louis  from  tiie 
north,  although  its  courfe  is  rather  from 


mg 

the  weft.  It  was  often  called  the  River 
of  the  Algonquins.  It  approaches  com- 
paratively near  to  Lake  Niiiiffing,  the 
home  of  the  Nipiffirini.  The  fources 
of  the  Ottawa  are  northeall  of  Lake 
Nipifling,  adiltance  of  from  one  to  tiiree 
hundred  miles.  The  dillances  here  given 
by  Champlaiu  are  only  general  efliniates 
gathered  from  the  Indians,  and  are 
neceiTarily  inaccurate. 


ij   I 


i 


ks 


H^Tr 


>  i 


I  t 


('  ll' 


I    ' 


56 


Voyages  of 


ing  to  the  report  of  the  favages,  comes  from  a  fource  more 
remote,  and  paffes  by  tribes  unknown  to  them  and  about 
three  hundred  leagues  dillant. 

This  lake  is  filled  with  fine  large  iflands,  containing  only 
pafturage  land,  where  there  is  fine  hunting,  deer  and  fowl 
being  plenty.  Fifli  are  abundant.  The  country  bordering 
the  lake  is  covered  with  extenfive  forefls.  We  proceeded 
to  pafs  the  night  at  the  entrance  to  this  lake,  making  barri- 
cades againft  the  Iroquois,  who  roam  in  thefe  regions  in 
order  to  furprife  their  enemies ;  and  I  am  fure  that  if  they 
were  to  find  us  they  would  give  us  as  good  a  welcome  as 
them,  for  which  realbn  we  kept  a  good  watch  all  night. 
On  the  next  day  I  took  the  altitude  of  the  place,  and  found 
it  in  latitude  45°  18'.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
we  entered  the  river  which  comes  from  the  north,  and, 
pafling  a  fmall  fall^^  by  land  fo  as  to  favor  our  canoes,  we 
proceeded  to  a  little  ifland,  where  we  fpent  the  remainder  of 
the  night. 

On  the  laft  day  of  May  we  paffed  another  lake,**  feven 
or  eight  leagues  long  and  three  broad,  containing  feveral 
illands.  The  neighboring  country  is  very  level,  except  in 
Ibme  places,  where  there  are  pine-covered  hills.  We  paffed  a 
fall  called  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  Ouenechouan,*'' 
which  is  filled  with  ftones  and  rocks,  and  where  the  water 
runs  with  great  velocity.  We  had  to  get  into  the  water  and 
drag   our   canoes   along   the   fliore  with   a  rope.      Half  a 

league 

Vide  Vol.  I.  p. 


^8  Rapidede  Bruffi,  by  which  the  river    of  Two  Mountains 
flows  from  the  Lake  of  Two  Mountains     294. 
into  Lake  St.  Louis. 

**  Lac  lie  SoiJ/bns,  now  called  Lake 


'*''  This  is  the  firft  of  a  feries  of  falls 
now  known  as  the  Long  Fall. 


Sieitr  dc  Cha7nplain,  57 

league  from  there  we  paffed  another  little  fall  by  rowing, 
which  makes  one  fueat.  Great  Ikill  is  required  in  paffino- 
thefe  falls,  in  order  to  avoid  the  eddies  and  liirf,  in  which 
they  abound ;  but  the  favages  do  this  with  the  greateft  pof- 
fible  dexterity,  winding  about  and  going  by  the  eafiest  places, 
which  they  recognize  at  a  glance. 

On  Saturday,  the  ift  of  June,  we  paffed  two  other  falls; 
the  firft  half  a  league  long,  the  fecond  a  league,  in  which 
we  had  much  difficulty ;  for  the  rapidity  of  the  current  is  fo 
great  that  it  makes  a  frightful  noife,  and  produces,  as  it  de- 
fcends  from  ffage  to  ffage,  fo  white  a  foam  everywhere  that 
the  water  cannot  be  feen  at  all.  This  fall  is  ffrewn  with 
rocks,  and  contains  fome  iflands  here  and  there  covered  with 
pines  and  white  cedars.  This  was  the  place  where  we  had 
a  hard  time ;  for,  not  being  able  to  carry  our  canoes  by  land 
on  account  of  the  denfity  of  the  wood,  we  had  to  drae  them 
m  the  water  with  ropes,  and  in  drawing  mine  I  came  near 
lofmg  my  life,  as  it  croffed  into  one  of  the  eddies,  and  if  I 
had  not  had  the  good  fortune  to  fall  between  two  rocks  the 
canoe  would  have  dragged  me  in,  inafmuch  as  I  was  unable 
to  undo  quickly  enough  the  rope  which  was  wound  around 
my  hand,  and  which  hurt  me  feverely  and  came  near  cutting 
it  off.  In  this  danger  I  cried  to  God  and  began  to  pull  my 
canoe,  which  was  returned  to  me  by  the  refluent  water,  fuch 
as  occurs  in  thefe  falls.  Having  thus  efcaped  I  thanked 
God,  begging  Him  to  preferve  us.  Later  our  favage  came  to 
help  me,  but  I  was  out  of  danger.  It  is  not  ftrange  that 
I  was  defirous  of  preferving  my  canoe,  for  if  it  had  been  loft 
it  would  have  been  neceffary  to  remain,  or  wait  until  fome 
favages  came   that  way,  a  poor  hope  for  thofe  who  have 

8  nothing 


■I  ■■ 


:|    iJ 


U 


••i  t 


liij 


it 


'I 
If 

i';    ! 


il 


S8 


Voyages  of 


nothing  to  dine  on,  and  who  are  not  accuftomed  to  fuch 
hardfliip.  As  for  our  Frenclimcn,  they  did  not  have  any 
better  luck,  and  feveral  times  came  near  lofing  their  lives; 
but  the  Di^'ine  Goodnefs  prelerved  us  all.  During  the 
remainder  of  the  day  we  refled,  having  done  enough. 

The  next  day  we  fell  in  with  fiftf^en  canoes  of  favages 
called  Qiicnongchiii^'^  in  a  river,  after  we  had  paffed  a  fmall 
lake,  four  leagues  long  and  two  broad.  They  had  been 
informed  of  my  coming  by  thofe  who  had  paffed  the  Falls 
of  St.  Louis,  on  their  way  from  the  war  with  the  Iroquois. 
I  was  very  glad  to  meet  them,  as  were  they  alfo  to  meet 
me,  but  they  were  afloniflicd  to  fee  me  in  this  country  with 
fo  few  companions,  and  with  only  one  favage.  Accordingly, 
after  fainting  each  other  after  the  manner  of  the  country,  I 
defired  them  not  to  go  any  farther  until  I  had  informed 
them  of  my  plan.  To  this  they  affented,  and  we  encamped 
on  an  ifland. 

The  next  day  I  explained  to  them  that  I  was  on  my  way 
to  their  couniry  to  vifit  them,  and  fulfil  the  promife  I  had 
previoufly  made  them,  and  that  if  they  had  determined  to 
go  to  the  war  it  would  be  very  agreeable  to  me,  inafmuch  as 
I  had  brought  fome  companions  with  this  view  at  which 
they  were  greatly  pleafcd ;  and  having  told  them  that  I 
willied  to  go  farther  in  order  to  notify  the  other  tribes,  they 
wanted  to  deter  me,  faying  that  the  way  was  bad,  and  that 
we  had  ^^qw  nothing  up  to  this  point.  Wherefore  I  afked 
them  to  gi\'e  me  one  of  their  number  to  take  charge  of  our 


*^  Quevoni^ebin.  Lnverdi^re  makes 
this  the  fame  as  the  Kinounchepirini 
of  Vimont.     It  was  an  Algonquin  nu- 


fecond 

tion  fituated  fouth  of  Allumelte  Ifland. 
\'ii/e  Jcfuite  Relations,  Quebec  ed., 
1640,  p.  34. 


I 


'   i 


•: 


1 


I  t 


Siettr  de  Cha7nplain, 


59 


fccond  canoe,  and  alio  to  ferve  us  as  guide,  fince  our  con- 
du(51:ors  were  not  acquainted  any  farther.  Tliis  they  did 
wilHngly,  and  in  return  I  made  them  a  prelent  and  gave 
thtm  one  of  our  Frenchmen,  the  leafl  indifpen fable,  whom  I 
fent  back  to  tli o  Falls  with  a  leaf  of  my  note-book,  on  which 
for  want  of  paper  I  made  a  report  of  myfelf. 

Thus  we  parted,  and  continuing  our  courfe  up  the  river 
we  found  another  one,  very  fair  and  broad,  which  comes 
from  a  nation  called  Oiicfcharini'^'^  who  live  north  of  it,  a 
diflance  of  four  days'  journey  from  the  mouth.  This  river 
is  very  pleafant  in  confequence  of  the  fine  iflands  it  con- 
tains, and  the  fair  and  open  woods  with  which  its  fliores  are 
bordered.     The  land  is  very  good  for  tillage. 

On  the  fourth  day  we  paffed  near  another  river  coming 
from  the  north,  where  tribes  called  Algonqiiins  live,  lliis 
river  falls  into  the  great  river  St.  Lawrence,  three  leagues 
below  the  Falls  of  St.  Louis,  forming  a  large  ifland  of  nearly 
forty  leagues.*^  This  river  is  not  broad,  but  filled  with  a 
countlefs  number  of  falls,  very  hard  to  pafs.     Sometimes 

thefe 


*'  Ouefcharini.  Thefe  people,  called 
Ouaouechkairini  by  Vimont,  appear  to 
have  dwelt  on  the  ftream  now  known 
as  the  Riviere  de  Petite  Nation,  rifing 
in  a  fyftem  of  lakes,  among  which  are 
Lake  Simon,  Wiiitefifli  Lake,  Long 
Lake,  and  Lake  Des  Illes.  Vide  Jcfuite 
Relations,,  1640,  p.  34.  The  tribe  here 
mentioned  was  fubfcquently  called  the 
Little  Nation  of  the  Algonquins:  hence 
the  name  of  the  river.    Laverdicre. 

^^  This  paiTage  is  exceedingly  obfcure. 
Laverdifere  fuppofes  that  part  of  a  fen- 
tence  was  left  out  by  the  printer.  If  fo 
it  is  remarkable  that  Champlain  did  not 
correct  it  in  his  edition  of  1632.    Laver- 


diere  thinks  the  river  here  fpoken  of  is 
the  Gatineau,  and  that  tlie  favages  fol- 
lowing up  this  flrcmi  went  by  a  port- 
age to  the  St.  Maurice,  and  pafling  down 
reached  the  St.  Lawrence  tiiirty  leagues, 
and  not  three,,  below  the  Falls  of  Saint 
Louis.  The  three  rivers  thus  named 
inclofe  or  form  an  ifland  of  about  the 
extent  defcribed  in  the  text.  This  ex- 
planation is  plaufible.  The  palfage 
amended  would  read,  "This  river  ex- 
tends near  anotJier  luhich  falls  into  the 
great  river  St.  Lawrence  thirty  leagues 
below  the  falls  of  St.  Louis."  We  know 
of  no  other  way  in  wiiich  the  pafTage 
can  be  rationally  explained. 


i 


I 


I 


< 


n 


r 


^w 


It  ; 


^fmitmmmmmmmmmmim 


!« 


"ii,   it'' 

If!  ft:  j 


:i 


t 
i(  f 


'    A 


I. 


i  t 


'■    \ . 


! 


60 


Voyages  of 


thefe  tribes  go  by  way  of  this  river  in  order  to  avoid  en- 
counters with  their  enemies,  knowing  that  they  will  not  try 
to  find  them  in  places  fo  difficult  of  accefs. 

Where  this  river  has  its  debouchure  is  another  coming  from 
the  fouth,*^  at  the  mouth  of  which  is  a  marvellous  fall.  For 
it  defcends  a  lieight  of  twenty  or  twenty-five  fathoms^  with 
fuch  impetuofity  that  it  makes  an  arch  nearly  four  hundred 
paces  broad.  The  favages  take  pleafure  in  paffmg  under  it, 
not  wetting  themfelves,  except  from  the  fpray  that  is  thrown 
off.  There  is  an  ifland  in  the  middle  of  the  river  which,  like 
all  the  country  round  about,  is  covered  with  pines  and  white 
cedars.  When  the  favages  defire  to  enter  the  river  they 
afcend  the  mountain,  carrying  their  canoes,  and  go  half  a 
league  by  land.  The  neighboring  country  is  filled  with  all 
forts  of  game,  fo  that  the  favages  often  make  a  flop  here. 
The  Iroquois  alfo  go  there  fometimes  and  furprife  them 
while  making  the  paffage. 

We  paffed  a  fall°^  a  league  from  there,  which  is  half  a 
league  broad,  and  has  a  defcent  of  fix  or  feven  fathoms. 
There  are  many  little  iflands,  which  are,  however,  nothing 
more  than  rough  and  dangerous  rocks  covered  with  a  jDOor 

fort 


*8  Rideau,  at  the  mouth  of  which  is 
Green  Illand,  referred  to  in  the  text 
below. 

"  The  fall  in  the  Rideau  is  thirty- 
four  feet,  according  lo  the  Edinburgh 
Gazetteer  of  the  World.  The  eftimate 
of  Champlain  is  fo  far  out  of  the  way 
that  it  feems  not  unlikely  that  feet  were 
intended  inftead  of  fathoms.  Vide  Vol. 
I.  pp.  301,  302. 

"  The  Chaudi^re  Falls,  juft  above 
the  prefent  city  of  Ottawa,  the  greateft 


height  of  which  is  ?.bout  forty  feet. 
"Arrayed  in  every  imaginable  variety 
of  form,  in  vaft  dark  maites,  in  graceful 
cafcades,  or  in  tumbling  fpray,  they 
have  been  well  defcribed  as  a  hundred 
rivers  ftruggling  for  a  paffage.  Not  the 
leafl  interelling  feature  they  prefent  is 
the  Loft  Chaudicre,  where  a  large  body 
of  water  is  quietly  fucked  down,  and 
difappears  underground."  Vide  Catiada 
by  \V.  H.  Smith.  Vol.  I.  p.  120.  Alfo 
Vol.  I.  p.  120  of  this  work. 


I 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


6i 


fort  of  brufliwood.  The  water  falls  in  one  place  with  fiich 
force  upon  a  rock  that  it  has  hollowed  out  in  courfe  of  time 
a  large  and  deep  bafm,  in  which  the  water  has  a  circular 
motion  and  forms  large  eddies  in  the  middle,  fo  that  the 
favages  call  it  Afticoii,  which  fignifies  boiler.  This  cataracfl 
produces  fuch  a  noife  in  this  bafm  that  it  is  heard  for  more 
than  two  leagues.  The  favages  when  paffmg  here  obferve 
a  ceremony  which  we  fliall  fpeak  of  in  its  place.  We  had 
much  trouble  in  afcending  by  ro\\ing  againfl:  a  flrong  cur- 
rent, in  order  to  reach  the  foot  of  the  fall.  Here  the  favages 
took  their  canoes,  my  Frenchmen  and  myfelf  our  arms,  pro- 
vifions,  and  other  neceffaries,  and  we  paffed  over  the  rough 
rocks  for  the  diftance  of  about  a  quarter  of  a  league,  the 
extent  of  the  fall.  Then  we  embarked,  being  obliged  after- 
wards to  land  a  fecond  time  and  go  about  three  hundred 
paces  through  copfe-wood,  after  which  we  got  into  the  water 
in  order  to  get  our  canoes  over  the  fliarp  rocks,  the  trouble 
attending  which  may  be  imagined.  I  took  the  altitude  of 
this  place,  which  I  found  to  be  in  latitude  45°  38'.^^^ 

In  the  afternoon  we  entered  a  lake,*^  five  leagues  long  and 
two  wide,  in  which  there  are  very  fine  iflands  covered  with 
vines,  nut-trees,  and  other  excellent  kinds  of  trees.  Ten  or 
twelve  leagues  above  we  paffed  fome  iflands  covered  with 
pines.  The  land  is  fandy,  and  there  is  found  here  a  root 
which  dyes  a  crimfon  color,  with  which  the  favages  paint 
their  faces,  as  alfo  litde  gewgaws  after  their  manner.  There, 
is  alfo  a  mountain  range  along  this  river,  and  the  furround- 
ing  country  feems  to  be  very  unpromifmg.  The  refl  of  the 
day  we  paffed  on  a  very  pleafant  ifland.  'pi 

"  The  latitude  of  the  Chaudi^re  Falls        •*  Chaudiere   Lake,  which  was  only 
is  about  45°  27'.  an  expanfion  of  the  River  Ottawa, 


\ 


i  i 


Wk 


IP 


Hi 


,  I 


I 


i 


111 


( 


If 


( 


I 
! 


il: 


i  y 


\ 


m 


62 


Voyages  of 


The  next  day  we  proceeded  on  our  courfe  to  a  great  fall, 
nearly  three  leagues  broad,  in  which  the  water  falls  a  height 
of  ten  or  twelve  fathoms  in  a  flopc,  making  a  marvellous 
noifc.^*  It  is  filled  with  a  vafl  number  of  iflands,  covered 
with  pines  and  cedars.  In  order  to  pafs  it  we  were  obliged 
to  give  up  our  maize  or  Indian  corn,  and  fome  few  other 
provifions  we  had,  together  with  our  Icafl  neceffary  clothes, 
retaining  only  our  arms  and  lines,  to  afford  us  means  of 
fupport  from  hunting  and  fifliiug  as  place  and  luck  might 
permit.  Thus  lightened  we  paffed,  fomctimes  rowing,  fome- 
times  carrying  our  canoes  and  arms  by  land,  the  fall,  which 
is  a  league  and  a  half  long,^''  and  in  which  our  lavages,  who 
arc  indefatigable  in  this  woik  and  accuflomed  to  endure 
fuch  hardfliips,  aided  us  greatly. 

Continuing  our  courfe,  we  paffed  two  other  falls,  one  by 
land,  the  other  with  oar  and  poles  {landing  up.  Then  we 
entered  a  lake,^''  fix  or  feven  leagues  long,  into  which  flows 
a  river  coming  from  the  fouth,"  on  which  at  a  diftance  of 
five  days'  journey  from  the  other  river*^^  live  a  people  called 
Matoii-oucfcarini^^  The  lands  about  the  before-mentioned 
lake  are  fandy  and  covered  with  pines,  which  have  been 
almoft  entirely  burned  down  by  the  favages.     There  are 

fome 


^*  Rapide  des  Chats. 

^^  This  probably  refers  to  that  part 
of  the  fall  which  was  more  difficult  to 
pafs. 

^^  Lake  des  Cha's.  The  name  des 
chats  appears  to  have  been  given  to 
this  Lake,  the  Rapids,  and  the  Nation 
des  chats,  on  account  of  the  great  num- 
ber of  the  loufi  ccrvicr,  or  wild  cats, 
chats  fauuages,  found  in  this  region. 
Cf.   Le   Grande   Voyage  dv  Pays  des 


Hiirons,  par  Sagard,   Paris,    1632,  p. 

307- 

^^  Madawafka  River,  an  affluent  of 
the  Ottavv?,  uniting  with  it  at  Fitz  Roy. 

°'*  Probably  an  allufion  to  the  River 
St.  Lawrence. 

''"  This  is  the  fame  tribe  alluded  to 
by  Vimon*,  under  the  name,  Mataouch- 
karini,  as  dwelling  fouth  of  Allumette 
I  (land.  Vide  Relations  des  Je/uites, 
1640,  Quebec  ed.,  p.  34. 


f 


'% 


1^ 


I 


Sietir  de  Champlaiii. 


^3 


fomc  iflands,  in  one  of  which  we  rcflcd  ourfelves.  Here  we 
faw  a  number  of  fine  red  cypreffes,''''^  the  firll;  I  had  Iccn  in 
this  country,  out  of  which  I  made  a  crofs,  which  I  planted 
at  one  end  of  the  illand,  on  an  elevated  and  confpicuous 
fpot,  with  the  arms  of  France,  as  I  had  done  in  other  })laces 
where  we  had  flopped.     I  called  this  iiland  Sainic  Croix. 

On  the  6th  we  let  out  from  this  ifland  of  St.  Croix,  where 
the  river  is  a  league  and  a  half  broad,  and  having  n  adc 
eight  or  ten  leagues  we  paffed  a  Imall  fall  by  oar,  and  a 
number  of  iilands  of  various  fizes.  Here  our  favages  left 
the  facks  containing  their  provifions  and  their  lels  neceffary 
articles,  in  order  to  be  lighter  for  going  overland  and  avoid- 
ing feveral  falls  which  it  was  neceffary  to  pafs.  There  was 
a  great  difpute  between  our  favages  and  our  impoflor,  who 
affirmed  that  there  was  no  danger  by  way  of  the  falls,  and 
that  we  ouQjht  to  eo  that  vv?v.  Our  favae;es  faid  to  him, 
You  \re  tired  of  living,  and  to  me,  that  I  ought  not  to 
believe  him,  and  that  he  did  not  tell  the  truth.  Accordingly, 
having  feveral  times  obferved  that  he  had  no  knowledge  of 
the  places,  I  followed  the  advice  of  the  favages,  which  was 
fortunate  for  me,  for  he  fought  for  dangers  in  order  to  ruin 
me  or  to  difgust  me  with  the  undertaking,  as  he  has  fmce 
confeffed,  a  ftatement  of  which  will  be  given  hereafter.  We 
croffed  accordingly  towards  the  wefl:  the  river,  which  ex- 
tended northward.  I  took  the  altitude  of  this  place  and 
found  it  in  latitude  46°  40'.*^^     We  had  much  difficulty  in 

going 

"o  Cypres,  Red  Cedar  or  Savin,  Juni-  tlie  Ottawa  neareft  to  the  fyftem  of  lakes 

pirns  Virginiana.      VideYo\.  II.   note  through  which  they  were   to  pafs,  anil 

168.  where,  as  ftated  in  the  text,  the  Ottawa, 

"  They  were  now,  perhaps,  two  miles  makin2;  an  angle,  begins  to  flow  directly 

below  Portage  du  Fort,  at  the  point  on  from  the  north.     The  latitude,  as  here 


.H 


s 


w 


■  ) 


r 


, 


H 


li  i 


I 


i    (• 


^1  ^1 


A 


64 


Voyages  of 


going  this  cliflance  overland.  I,  for  my  part,  was  Inaded  only 
with  three  arquebufcs,  as  many  oars,  my  cloak,  and  Ibme 
fmall  articles.  I  cheered  on  our  men,  who  were  Ibmewhat 
more  heavily  loaded,  but  more  troubled  by  the  mofquitocs 
than  by  their  loads.  Thus  after  parfing  four  fmall  ponds  and 
having  gone  a  diflancc  of  two  and  a  half  leagues,  we  were 
fo  wearied  that  it  was  impoffible  to  go  farther,  not  having 
eaten  for  twenty-four  hours  anything  but  a  little  broiled  fi(h 
without  (eafoning,  for  we  had  left  our  provifions  behind,  as  I 
mentioned  before.  Accordingly  we  reflcd  on  the  border  of 
a  pond,  which  was  very  plcafant,  and  made  a  fire  to  drive 
away  the  molquitoes,  which  annoyed  us  greatly,  whofe  per- 
fiflency  is  fo  man  llous  that  one  cannot  defcribe  it.  Here 
we  caft  our  Imes  uj  catch  fome  filli. 

The  next  day  we  paffed  this  pond,  which  was  perhaps  a 
league  long.  Then  we  went  by  land  three  leagues  through 
a  country  worfe  than  we  had  yet  feen,  fince  the  winds  had 
blown  down  the  pines  on  top  of  each  other.  This  was  no 
flight  inconvenience,  as  it  was  neceffary  to  go  now  over,  now 
under,  thefe  trees.  In  this  way  we  reached  a  lake,  fix 
leagues   long   and   two  wide,*^^  very  abundant  in   fifh,  the 


given,  is  even  more  than  ufually  inror- 
reft,  being  too  hii^h  by  more  than  a 
(Ic!2;ree.  The  true  latitude  is  about 
45  °  3  7'  •  Vide  Walker  and  M ties' s  A  Has 
of  Dominion  of  Canada.  Note  62  will 
explain  the  caufe  of  this  incxaftnefs. 

«-  Mufkrat  Lake.  On  Champlain's 
ma|3  of  1632  will  be  feen  laid  down  a  fuc- 
celTion  of  lakes  or  ponds,  together  with 
the  larger  one,  now  known  as  Mulla-at 
Lcike,  on  the  borders  of  which  are  figured 
the  dwellings  of  the  favagcs  referred  to 
'.I  the  text.    The  pond  which  they  palled 


neighboring 

is  the  laft  in  the  feries  before  reaching 
Mufkrat  Lake.  On  the  direct  route 
between  t'lis  pond  and  the  lake,  known 
as  the  Mulkrat  Portage  road.  t!ie  courfe 
undoubtedly  traverfed  by  Champlain, 
there  was  found  in  1867,  in  the  townlhip 
of  Rofs,  an  alholabe,  an  inflrumcnt  ufed 
in  taking  liti Mules,  on  which  is  the  date, 
1603.  It  is  U'.p])ofed  to  have  been  lolt 
by  Champlain  on  his  prefent  expedition. 
The  reafons  for  this  fuppofition  have 
been  Hated  in  feveral  brochures  recently 
iflued,  one   by  Mr.  O.  H.  Mardiall  of 

I5uffalo, 


V 


>  ', 


>li' 


Sieitr  dc  Chaviplain. 


6s 


neighboring  people  doing  their  fifliing  there.    Near  this  lake 
is  a  lettlemcnt  of  favages,  who  till  the  foil  and  gather  har- 

vells 


Buffalo,  entitled  Difcovery  of  an  A/lro-    plain  in  1613,  New  York,  1879 ;  reprinted 
labe  Jiippofed  to  have  been  lojl  by  Chain-    from  \.\\q  Magazine  of  American  Ilif- 

tory 


•   \    1 


♦ 


-J 


r 


■( 


i;, 


(I 


Pi 


66 


Voyages  of 


(  !■ 


vcfts  of  maize.     Their  chief  is  named  N'idai/iis,  who  came  to 
vifit  us  with   liis  followers,  alloiiilhed   that  we  could  liavc 

fed 


pall( 


/I'ly  for  Miircli  of  tliat  year.  Anotlicr, 
L7iiiiii/)/ain's  Ajholitbi'  icjl  on  lite  jlh 
of  'June,  1 013,  ivn/  I'onitd  in  Aii^iijl, 
I.Sr,;,  by  A.  J,  Kuircll  of  (Jtl.iwa,  Mon- 
treal, 1879.  And  ;i  third  eiilillcil  The 
Ajlroltjlie  of  Samuel  (  lianiMiUn  and 
Geoifrev  Clniuier,  hy  Ilciirv  Sc.ulditv^, 
D.lJ.,ot"I'or()iito,  iS.So.  Allofthdc  writ- 
ers agree  in  t!ic  o|)inioii  that  the  inllru- 
niciit  was  prol)al)ly  loll  t)y  Cliainphun 
on  ids  cx|)edinoii  iiiHlie  Ottawa  in  1613. 
For  the  armiment  ///  extenfo  the  reader 
is  referred  to  tiie  Lrocluires  above  cited. 

Mr.  Riilleil,  wiio  examined  the  allro- 
labe  tluis  found  witii  %xq\\.  care  and 
hid  it  ]jhoto;,Taplicd.  defcribes  it  as  a 
c  in  iilar  plate  havin;^  •'i  tiiaineter  of  live 
inches  and  live  ei;^htiis.  "  It  is  of  plate 
brafs.  very  dark  with  at^e,  one  eiijhth  of 
an  inch  tiiirk  al)ovo,  increafini^  to  fix 
fixteentlis  of  .m  incli  below,  to  i^ive  it 
ib:adinels  when  fiifpeniled.  which  ap- 
parently  was  inleiided  to  be  increaicd 
by  hmginu;  a  weii^lit  on  the  little  pro- 
ieclin'4  riiiji  at  the  bottom  of  it,  in  ufintj 
It  on  lhip-i)oard.  Its  fiUpcnilinii  rint; 
is  attaclied  by  a  doiil)le  hintre  of  tlic 
nature  of  a  univerlal  joint.  Its  circle  is 
divided  into  fui'^le  dei;rees,  Ltradu.ited 
from  its  perpeiuhcular  of  fufpenlion. 
The  double-bhided  index,  tlie  pivot  of 
whicli  pafles  tinough  the  centre  of  the 
aflro]al)e,  has  Hits  and  eyelets  in  the 
projecting  lights  that  are  on  it." 

VVe  give  on  the  |n-eceding  i)age  an  en- 
graving of  this  allrolabe  from  a  pho- 
tograph, which  prd'cnts  a  fufficiently 
accurate  outline  of  the  inrtrumcnt.  The 
])late  was  originally  made  to  illullrate 
Mr.  Marlhall's  article  in  the  .Magizine 
of  American  Ilillory,  and  we  are  in- 
debted to  the  courtcfy  of  the  proprietors 
of  the  Magazine,  Mi/firs.  A.  S.  Harnes 
and  Company  of  New  York,  for  ts  ule 
for  our  prefent  purpof'e. 


The  aRroiabc,  as  nn  inrtrumcnt  for 
td<ing  the  altitude  of  the  liars  or  the 
fun,  had  long  been  in  w^ki.  Thomas 
IJIundevilc,  who  wrote  in  1622.  fays  he 
h.iil  iVen  three  kinds,  and  that  the'albo- 
l.dje  of  Stofllcrus  ha  1  then  been  in  ufe  a 
hundred  years.  It  had  been  improved 
by  iJemnia  Frifius.  Mr.  IJIagrave  had 
likewife  improved  upon  the  lall-men- 
tioncd,  and  his  inllrument  was  at  that 
lime  in  gcner.d  ule  in  England.  The 
allrolabe  continued  to  be  emidoyed  in 
(iie.it  liriiain  in  taking  altitudes  for 
more  than  a  <entury  fubl'equent  to  this, 
certainly  till  Iladley's  (Uiadrant  was  in- 
vented, which  was  firlt  announc  d  in 
1 7,V . 

The  a  Urol  dies  which  had  the  broad- 
eft  di(l<s  were  more  exact,  as  they  were 
projected  on  a  larger  fcale.  but  as  they 
were  calily  jolUeil  by  the  wind  or  the 
movement  of  the  (hip  at  lea,  they  could 
with  difliculty  be  employed.  lUit  Mr. 
Blundevile  infi>rms  us  that  "the  Sjian- 
iards  doe  commoidy  make  their  allro- 
labes  narrow  and  weighty,  which  for  the 
moll  p  irt  are  not  much  abouc  hue  inches 
bro.ul,  and  yet  doe  weigh  at  the  lead 
foure  pound,  &  to  that  end  the  lower 
part  is  made  a  great  deale  thicker  then 
the  vp|)er  part  towards  the  ring  or 
handle."  \'ide  M.  nivndevile  his  Ex- 
creifes,  London,  1622,  pp.  595,  597. 
Tliis  Si)ani(h  inllrument,  it  will  be  ob- 
ferved,  is  very  fimilar  to  that  found  on 
the  Old  Portage  road,  and  the  latter  may 
have  been  of  Spanilh  make. 

In  order  to  take  the  latitude  in  Cham- 
plain's  day,  at  leall  three  dillincl  flejis 
or  jjrocelies  were  necelTary,  and  the 
following  directions  might  have  been 
given. 

I.  Let  the  allroLabe  be  fufpended  fo 
that  it  fliall  hang  plumb.  Direct  the  index 
or  diopter  to  the  fun  at  noon,  fo  that  the 

fame 


%s 


Sicnr  dc  Champlaiu. 


r,7 


V 


paffcd  tlic  falls  and  bad  roads  in  onlcr  to  reach  them.  After 
offering  us  tobacco,  according  to  their  cuflom,  he  began  to 
addrefs  his  comjianions,  faying,  that  we  mult  have  fallen 
from  the  clouds,  for  he  knew  not  liow  we  could  have  made 
the  journey,  and  tliat  they  who  lived  in  the  country  had 
much  trouble  in  travcrfmg  thefe  bad  wavs :  and  he  crave 
them  to  underfland  that  I  accomijliflicd  all  that  I  fet  my  mind 
upon ;  in  fnort,  that  he  believed  refpecling  me  all  that  the 
other  favagcs  had  told  him.  Aware  that  wc  were  hungrv, 
he  gave  us  fome  filh,  which  wc  ate,  and  after  our  meal  I 
explained  to  him,  through  Thomas,  our  interpreter,  the 
pleafurc  I  had  in  meeting  them,  that  I  had  come  to  this 
country  to  affifl  them  in  their  wars,  and  that  I  deHrcd  to  go 
flill  farther  to  fee  fome  other  chiefs  for  the  fame  objccl, 
at  which  they  were  glad  and  proiuifed  me  affiltance.  They 
fliowed  me  their  gardens  and  the  fields,  where  they  had 
maize.  Their  foil  is  fandy,  for  which  reason  they  devote 
thcmfelves    more    to   hunting    than    to    tillage,    unlike    the 


fame  ray  of  licjlit  may  fliinc  lliroiic;li 
hotli  holes  in  tlie  two  tablets  or  |)inuIo.s 
on  tlie  diopter,  and  tlic  diopter  will  ])()int 
to  tlie  decree  of  the  fun's  meridian  alti- 
tude indicated  on  tlie  outer  rim  of  the 
aftrolahe. 

II.  Afcertain  tlie  cxa(^  dej^rce  of  the 
fun's  declination  for  that  day,  by  a  table 
calculated  for  that  purpofe,  which  ac- 
companies the  allrolabe. 

III.  Subtract  the  declination,  fo 
foimd,  if  it  be  north(>rlv.  from  the  me- 
ridian altitude;  or  if  tiie  declination  be 
foutherly,  add  the  declination  to  the 
meridian  altitude,  and  the  refult,  fub- 
tracled  from  90"^,  will  <iive  the  latitude. 

In  thefe  feveral  proceiTcs  of  taking 
the  latitude  there  are   numerous  poffi- 


Ochateguins. 

hilitics  of  inexa(flness.  It  does  not 
ai^pear  that  any  corretlion  was  made 
for  refraction  of  li;;ht,  or  the  pieceffioii 
of  the  equinoxes.  Hut  the  moR  im- 
portant fource  of  inaccuracy  was  in  the 
ufe  of  tl;e  allrolabe  whole  dilU  was  fo 
fniall  that  its  divifions  could  not  be 
carried  beyond  dej^rees,  and  confc- 
quenllv  minutes  were  arrived  at  by  flicer 
cllimation.  and  ufually  when  the  work 
was  completed,  the  error  was  not  lefs 
than  one  fourth  or  one  half  of  a  degree, 
and  it  was  often  much  more. 

Thisaccountsfuliy  for  the  inaccuracies 
of  Chamjilain's  latitudes  from  lirll  to  lalt 
throu'jhout  his  entire  explorations,  as 
tef'cd  by  the  very  exact  inllruments  and 
tables  now  in  uie.     No  bttier  method 

of 


-^h 


/!' 


r 


* 


^ 


68 


Voyages  of 


Ochatcguins.^^  When  they  wifli  to  i..ake  a  piece  of  land 
arable,  they  burn  clown  the  trees,  which  is  very  eafily  done, 
as  they  arc  all  pines,  and  filled  with  rofin.  The  trees  having 
been  burned,  they  dig  up  the  ground  a  little,  and  plant  their 
maize  kernel  by  kernel,*'*  like  thofe  in  Florida.  At  the  time 
I  was  there  it  was  only  four  fingers  high. 


:i  ^ 


CHAPTER  IV. 


«  / 


i  i 


M- 


i 


Continuation.  —  Arrival  at  the  Abode  ofTessouat,  and  his  Favorarle 
Reception  of  me.  —  Character  of  their  Ci:meteries.  —  The  Savages 
PRO.MisE  ME  Four  Canoes  for  continuing  mv  Journky;  which  they 
however  shortly  after  REFi'si:.  —  Address  of  the  Savages  to  dis- 
suade    ME    FROM     MY     UNDERTAKING,     IN     WHICH     THEY     REPRESENT    ITS 

Difficulties. --Mv  Reply  to  these  Objections.  —  Tessouat  accuses 
my  Guide  of  Lying,  and  of  not  having  been  where  he  said  he  had. 
—  The  latter  maintains  his  Veracity.  —  I  urge  them  to  give  me 
Canoes.  —  Several  Refusals.  —  My  Guide  convicted  of  Falsehood, 
AND  HIS  Confession. 

I  BACH  IS  had  two  canoes  fitted  out,  to  con- 
duel   me  to  another   chief,   named    TcJJoiiatl^ 
who  lived  eight  leagues  from  him,  on  the  bor- 
der of  a  great  lake,  through  which  flows  the 
river  which   we   had   left,  and  which  extends 
northward.    Accordingly  we  croffed  the  lake  in  a  wefl-north- 
weflerly  direction,  a  diftance  of  nearly  feven  leagues.     Land- 
ing 

of  deter- lining   tlie  latitude   exified  at  •'■'  Vide  Vol.  I.  p.  49;  Vol.  II.  note 

that  day,  and  confequently  tlie  hiftorian  •zig. 

is  warned  not  to  rely  upon  the  latitude  ''•'  It  feems  not  improbable,  as  fug- 
alone  as  given  by  the  early  navigators  gefled  by  Laverdicre,  that  tliis  was  the 
and  explorers  in  identifying  the  exact  fame  chief  that  Ciiamplain  met  at  Ta- 
localities  whicli  they  vifited.  doulTac  in  1603,  then  called  Befouat. 
®*  Subfequenlly  called  Hurons.  Vide  Vol.  I.  p.  242. 


IC 


i^i 


Sicttr  de  Chaviplain. 


69 


inof  tliere,  we  went  a  lcaQ;uc  towards  the  northeaft  throuofh 
a  very  fine  country,  where  arc  finall  beaten  paths,  along 
which  one  can  go  cafily.  Thus  we  arrived  on  the  lliore  of 
the  lake/"'  where  the  dwelling  of  Teffouat  was.  He  was 
accompanied  by  a  neighboring  chieftain,  and  was  greatly 
amazed  to  fee  me,  faying  that  he  thought  I  was  a  dream,  and 
that  he  did  not  believe  his  eyes.  Thence  we  croffed  on  to  an 
ifland,'''  where  their  cabins  are,  which  are  poorly  conffrudled 
out  of  the  bark  of  trees.  The  ifland  is  covered  with  oaks, 
pines,  and  elms,  and  is  not  fubje6l  to  inundations,  like  the 
other  iflands  in  the  lake. 

This  iikand  is  flrongly  fituated ;  for  at  its  two  ends,  and 
where  the  river  enters  the  lake,  there  arc  troublefomc  falls, 
the  roughnefs  of  which  makes  the  ifland  difficult  of  accefs. 
They  have  accordingly  taken  up  their  abode  here  in  order 
to  avoid  the  purfuit  of  their  enemies.  It  is  in  latitude  47°,'^^ 
as  alfo  the  lake,  which  is  twenty  leagues  long,*^^  and  three  or 
four  wide.  It  abounds  in  fifli ;  the  hunting,  however,  is  not 
efpecially  good. 

On  vifiting  the  ifland,  I  obferved  their  cemeteries,  and 

was 

^^  They  croffed  Muflcrat  Lake,  and 
after  a  portnge  of  a  league,  by  general 
eftimation,  they  readied  Lake  Allumette. 
This  lake  is  only  the  expanded  current 
of  the  river  Ottawa  on  the  fouthern  fide 
of  Allumette  Ifland,  which  is  formed  by 
the  bifurcation  of  the  Ottawa. 

•^^  Allumette  Ifland,  often  called,  in 
the  Relations  dcs  Ji'fuites,  fimply  the 
Ifland.  Thefavages  in  occujxition  were 
in  the  habit  of  exading  tribute  from  the 
Hurons  and  others,  who  palled  along  on 
their  war  excurfions  or  their  journevs 
for  trade  with  the  French  at  Montreal. 
They  bartered  their  maize  with  other 


tribes  for  fkins  with  which  they  clothed 
thcmfelves. 

^^  The  true  latitude  here  is  about 
45°  47'.  On  the  map  fjf  1632  the  lati- 
tude correfponds  wiili  the  flatcment  in 
the  text. 

•'^  In  his  iffue  of  \(^yi  Champlain  cor- 
reds  his  itatement  as  to  the  length  of 
Allumette  Ifland,  and  fays  it  is  ton 
leagues  long,  which  is  nearly  correct. 
/  'i'iic  Quebec  ed.  p.  868.  Of  this  illand 
Bouchette  fays  that  in  length  it  is  about 
fifteen  miles,  and  on  an  average  four 
miles  wide.  BritiJJi  Dominions  in  A'ortli 
America,  London,  iS'^i.  Vol.  I.  p.  187. 


I 


1 1' 


i 


-^ 


'i\ 


m 


i  ^a 


;l 
IS* 


■Hi-  > 


i 


'li 


D' 


tllfeli  I 

-V  El 


i' 


miyi 


■  ■ 


I  i 


I   i 


i 


ll 


.\ 


70 


Voyages  of 


was  flruck  with  wonder  as  I  faw  fepulchrcs  of  a  fliape  like 
flirincs,  made  of  pieces  of  wood  fixed  in  the  ground  at  a  dil- 
tance  of  about  three  feet  from  each  other,  and  interfering 
at  the  upper  end.  On  the  interfeclions  above  they  place  a 
large  piece  of  wood,  and  in  front  another  upright  piece, 
on  which  is  carved  roughly,  as  would  be  expected,  the 
figure  of  the  male  or  female  interred.  If  it  is  a  man,  they 
add  a  fliield,  a  fword  attached  to  a  handle  after  their  manner, 
a  mace,  and  bow  and  arrows.  If  it  is  a  chief,  there  is  a 
plume  on  his  head,  and  fome  other  matachia  or  embellifli- 
ment.  If  it  is  a  child,  they  give  it  a  bow  and  arrow ;  if  a 
v.oman  or  girl,  a  boiler,  an  earthen  veffcl,  a  wooden  fpoon, 
and  an  oar.  The  entire  fepulchrc  is  fix  or  feven  feet  long  at 
mofi,  and  four  wide  ;  others  are  fmaller.  They  are  painted 
yellow  and  red,  with  various  ornaments  as  neatly  done  as  the 
carving.  The  deceafcd  is  buried  with  his  drefs  of  beaver  or 
other  flcins  which  he  wore  when  living,  and  they  lay  by  his 
fide  all  his  poffeffions,  as  hatchets,  knives,  boilers,  and  awls, 
fo  that  thefe  things  may  fervc  him  in  the  land  whither  he 
goes ;  for  they  believe  in  the  immortality  of  the  foul,  as 
I  have  clfe where  obferved.  Thefe  carved  fepulchres  are 
only  made  for  the  warriors ;  for  in  refpect  to  others  they 
add  no  more  than  in  the  cafe  of  women,  who  are  confidered 
a  ufelefs  clafs,  accordingly  but  little  is  added  in  their  cafe. 

Obferving  the  poor  quality  of  the  foil.  I  afked  them  w'hat 
pleafure  they  took  in  cultivating  land  fo  unpromifing,  fince 
there  was  fome  much  better,  which  they  left  barren  and 
wafte  as  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Louis.  They  anfwercd  that  they 
wc  re  (orced  to  do  fo  in  order  to  dwell  in  fecurity,  and  that 
the  roughnefs  of  the  locality  ferved  them  as  a  defence  againfi: 

their 


I 


\'m 


Sieitr  de  Chmnplain. 


71 


their  enemies.  But  they  faicl  that  if  I  would  make  a  fcttlc- 
ment  of  French  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Louis,  as  I  had  promifed, 
they  would  leave  their  abode  and  go  and  live  near  us,  conli- 
dent  that  their  enemies  would  do  them  no  harm  while  we 
were  with  them.  I  told  them  that  we  would  this  year  col- 
lecT:  wood  and  Itone  in  order  the  comincr  vear  to  build  a  fort 
and  cultivate  the  land ;  upon  hearing  which  they  railed  a 
great  '  /  of  applaule.  This  conference  having  been  fm- 
iflied,  1  afked  all  the  chiefs  and  prominent  men  among 
them  to  alTemble  ihe  next  day  on  the  main  land,  at  the 
cabin  of  Teffoiiat,  who  purpofed  to  celebrate  a  iabagic  in 
my  honor,  adding  that  I  would  there  tell  them  my  plans 
This  they  promifed,  and  fent  word  to  their  neighbors  to 
convene  at  the  appointed  place. 

The  next  day  all  the  guefls  came,  each  with  his  porringer 
and  wooden  fpoon.  Tney  feated  themfelves  without  order 
or  ceremony  on  the  ground  in  the  cabin  of  Teffoiiat,  who 
diflributed  to  them  a  kind  of  broth  made  of  maize  crufhed 
between  two  ftones,  together  with  meat  and  fifh  which  was 
cut  into  little  pieces,  the  whole  being  boiled  together  with- 
out fait.  They  alfo  had  meat  roafl:ed  on  coals,  and  fifli 
boiled  apart,  which  he  alfo  diilributed.  In  refpecSl  to  myfelf, 
as  I  did  not  wifh  any  of  their  chowder,  which  they  prepare 
in  a  very  dirty  manner,  I  aflced  them  for  fome  filli  and  meat, 
that  I  niight  prepare  it  in  my  own  way,  which  they  gave 
me.  For  drink,  we  had  fine  clear  water.  Teffoiiat,  who 
gave  the  tabagic,  entertained  us  without  eating  himfelf, 
according  to  their  cultom. 

The  tabagie  being  over,  the  young  men,  who  are  not 
prefent  at  the  harangues  and  councils,  and  who  during  the 

tabagies 


V 


11 


% 


\  • 


i 


s 


'  ( 


•I 


'J 


Vi 


I 


'M. 


» u 


I,; 
i;- 

\': 

V 
I; 

if: 


if 


'  1     I 


72 


Voyages  of 


tabagics  remain  at  the  door  of  tlie  cabins,  withdrew,  when 
all  who  remained  began  to  fill  their  pipes,  one  and  another 
offering  me  one.  We  then  fpent  a  full  half-hour  in  this 
occupation,  not  a  word  being  fpoken,  as  is  their  cuftom. 

After  fmoking  amply  during  fo  long  a  period  of  filence, 
I  explained  to  them,  through  my  interpreter,  that  the  obje(5l 
of  my  journey  was  none  other  than  to  affure  them  of  my 
friendfhip,  and  of  the  defire  I  had  to  affift  them  in  their  wars, 
as  I  had  before  done ;  that  I  had  been  prevented  from  com- 
ing the  preceding  year,  as  I  had  promifed  them,  becaufe  the 
king  had  employed  me  in  other  wars,  but  that  now  he  had 
ordered  me  to  vifit  them  and  to  fulfil  my  promifes,  and 
that  for  this  purpole  I  had  a  number  of  men  at  ihe  Falls  of 
St.  Louis.  I  told  them  that  I  was  making  an  excurfion  in 
their  territory  to  obferve  the  fertility  of  their  foil,  their  lakes 
and  rivers,  and  the  fea  which  they  had  told  me  was  in  their 
country ;  and  that  I  defired  to  fee  a  tribe  diflant  fix  days' 
journey  from  them,  called  the  Nebiccrini,  in  order  to  invite 
them  alfo  to  the  war,  and  accordingly  I  afked  them  to  give 
me  four  canoes  with  eight  favages  to  guide  me  to  thefe 
lands.  And  fince  the  Algonquins  are  not  great  friends  of 
the  Nebicerini,'*^  they  feemed  to  liften  to  me  with  greater 
attention. 

After  I  had  finiflied  my  difcourfe,  they  began  again  to 
fmoke,  and  to  confer  among  themfelves  in  a  very  low  voice 
refpe6ling  my  propofitions.    Then  TeffoUat  in  behalf  of  -i,ll  the 

reft 

'<>  This  tribe  was  fuhfequently  known  cover  of  which  they  appear  to  have  prac- 

as  the  Nipiffings,  who  dwelt  on  the  bor-  tifed  impofitions  which  naturally  enough 

ders  of  Lake  Nipiffing.     They  were  dif-  rendered  other  neighboring  Algonquin 

tinguifhed  for  their  forceries,  under  the  tribes  hoftile  to  them. 


! 


rt 


< 


Sietir  de  Champlain. 


73 


reft  began  and  faid,  tliat  they  liad  always  regarded  me  more 
friendly  towards  them  th,.:n  an\'  Frenchman  they  had  feen  ; 
that  the  proofs  they  had  of  this  in  the  pall  made  tlieir  con- 
fidence eafier  for  the  future  :  moreover,  that  I  had  (hown  my- 
lelf  in  reality  their  fi-iend,  by  encountering  lb  many  rilks  in 
coming  to  fee  them  and  invite  them  to  the  war,  and  that 
all  thele  confiderations  obliged  them  to  feel  as  kindly  dil- 
pofed  towards  me  as  towards  their  own  children.  But  they 
faid  that  I  had  the  preceding  year  broken  my  promife,  that 
two  thoufand  lavages  had  gone  to  the  Falls  with  the  ex- 
pedation  of  finding  me  ready  to  go  to  the  war,  and  mak- 
ing me  prefents,  but  that  they  had  not  found  me  and  were 
greatly  faddened,  fuppofing  that  I  was  dead,  as  fome  perfons 
had  told  them.  He  faid  alio,  that  the  French  who  were  at 
the  Falls  did  not  want  to  help  them  in  their  wars,  that  they 
had  been  badly  treated  by  certain  ones,  fo  that  they  had 
refolved  among  thcmfelves  not  to  go  to  the  Falls  again,  and 
that  this  had  caufed  them,  as  they  did  not  expe6t  to  fee 
me  again,  to  go  alone  to  the  war,  and  that  in  fa6l  twelve 
hundred  of  them  had  already  gone.  And  fince  the  greater 
part  of  their  warriors  were  abfent,  thi^)'  begged  me  to  poft- 
pone  the  expedition  to  the  following  year,  faying  that  they 
would  communicate  the  matter  to  all  the  people  of  their 
country.  In  regard  to  the  four  canoes,  which  1  afl^ed  for, 
they  granted  them  to  me,  but  with  great  reludance,  telling 
me  that  they  were  greatly  difpleafed  at  the  idea  of  fuch  an 
undertaking,  in  view  of  the  hardfln'ps  which  I  would  endure; 
that  the  people  there  were  Ibrcerers,  that  they  had  caufed  the 
death  of  many  of  their  own  tribe  by  charms  and  poifoning, 
on  which  account  they  were  not  their  friends  :  moreover  tliey 

faid 


10 


W 


ill 


ril 


{ 


//*^l 


".*•/• 

<«'i 


<  It  I 


.1 ' 


lij 


i  ' 


11 


.1 


74 


Voyages  of 


faid  that,  as  it  regards  war,  I  was  not  to  think  of  them,  as 
they  were  little-licartcd.  With  thefe  and  many  other  confid- 
erations  they  endeavored  to  deter  me  from  my  purpofe. 

But  my  Ible  defire  on  the  otlier  hand  was  to  lee  this  people, 
and  enter  into  friendfhip  with  them,  fo  that  I  might  vifit 
the  North  Sea.  Accordingly,  with  a  view  to  leffening  the 
force  of  their  objections,  I  laid  to  them,  that  it  was  not  far 
to  the  country  in  queflion  ;  that  the  bad  roads  could  not  be 
worfe  than  thofe  1  had  already  paffed  ;  that  their  witchcraft 
would  have  no  power  to  harm  me,  as  my  God  would  preferve 
me  from  them  ;  that  I  was  alfo  acquainted  with  their  herbs, 
and  would  therefore  beware  of  eating  them  ;  that  I  defired  to 
make  the  two  tribes  mutual  friends,  and  that  I  would  to  this 
end  make  prefcnts  t'.  the  other  tribe,  being  allured  that  they 
would  do  Ibmething  for  me.  In  view  of  thcle  reafons  they 
granted  me,  as  I  have  faid,  four  canoes,  at  which  I  was  very 
happy,  forgetting  all  pafl  hardfliips  in  the  hope  of  feeing 
this  lea,  as  I  fo  much  defired. 

For  the  remainder  of  the  day,  I  went  out  walking  in  their 
gardens,  which  were  filled  with  fquaflies,  beans,  and  our 
peas,  which  they  were  beginning  to  cultivate,  when  Thomas, 
my  interpreter,  who  underflands  the  language  very  well, 
came  to  inform  me  that  the  favages,  after  I  had  left  them, 
had  come  to  t'";  conclufion,  that  if  I  were  to  undertake  this 
journey  I  fliould  die  and  they  alfo,  and  that  they  could  not 
furnifli  the  promifed  canoes,  as  there  was  no  one  of  them 
who  would  guide  me,  but  that  they  wiflied  me  to  poftpone 
the  journey  until  the  next  year,  when  they  would  conduCl 
me  with  a  good  train  to  protect  me  from  that  people,  in  cafe 
they  fliould  attempt  to  harm  me,  as  they  are  evil-difpofed. 

This 


Siciir  dc  Chaviplain. 


IS 


This  intelligence  greatly  diflurbed  me,  and  I  at  once  went 
to  them  and  told  them,  that  up  to  tliis  day  I  had  regarded 
them  as  men  and  truthful  perlbns,  but  that  now  they  had 
fhown  themielves  children  and  liars,  and  that  if  they  would 
not  fulfil  their  promiles,  they  would  fail  to  fliow  me  their 
friendihip  ;  that,  however,  if  they  felt  it  an  inconvenience  to 
give  me  four  canoes  they  fliould  only  furnilh  two  and  four 


lavages. 


They  reprefented  to  me  anew  the  difficulties  attending  the 
journey,  the  number  of  the  falls,  the  bad  character  of  the 
people,  and  that  their  realbn  for  refufmg  my  requefl  was 
their  fear  of  lofmc:  me. 

I  replied  that  I  was  forry  to  have  them  fliow  themfelves 
to  fo  flight  an  extent  my  friends,  and  that  I  fhould  never 
have  believed  it;  that  I  had  a  young  man,  fliowing  them 
my  impoilor,  who  had  been  in  their  country,  and  had  not 
found  all  thefe  difficulties  which  they  reprefented,  nor  the 
people  in  queflion  fo  bad  as  they  afferted.  Then  they  be- 
gan to  lock  at  him,  in  particular  Teffouat  the  old  captain, 
with  whom  he  had  paffed  the  winter,  and  calling  him  by 
name  he  faid  to  him  in  his  language :  Nicholas,  is  it  true 
that  you  faid  you  were  among  the  Nebicerini.^  It  was  long 
before  he  fpoke,  when  he  faid  to  them  in  their  language, 
which  he  fpoke  to  a  certain  extenc:  Yes,  I  was  there. 
They  immediateh-  looked  at  him  awry,  and  throwing  them- 
felves upon  him,  as  if  they  w^ould  eat  him  up  or  tear  him 
in  pieces,  raifed  loud  cries,  when  Teffoiiat  faid  to  him:  You 
are  a  downright  liar,  you  know  well  that  you  Hcpt  at  my 
fide  every  night  with  my  children,  where  you  arofe  every 
morning ;  if  you  were   among  the  people  mentioned,  it  was 

while 


I 


it 


fly 


f 


i    < 


IP 


m 


i  ! 


H:    I! 


^1' 


^ 


U    li 


\   i 


;  i!i 


■  if.' 


f 


J    I 


76 


Voyages  of 


while  flceping.  Mow  could  you  have  been  fo  bold  as  to 
lead  your  chief  to  believe  lies,  and  fo  wicked  as  to  be  willing 
to  cxpole  his  life  to  fo  many  dangers  ?  You  are  a  worth- 
Icfs  fellow,  and  he  ought  to  put  you  to  death  more  cruelly 
than  we  do  our  enemies.  I  am  not  adoniflied  that  he  fhould 
fo  importune  us  on  the  affurance  of  your  words. 

I  at  once  told  hini  that  he  muft  reply  to  thefe  people ; 
and  fince  he  had  been  in  the  regions  indicated,  that  he  muft 
give  me  proofs  of  it,  and  free  me  from  the  fufpenfe  in  which 
he  had  placed  n^e.  But  he  remained  filent  and  greatly  terri- 
fied. 

I  immediately  withdrew  him  from  the  favages,  and  con- 
jured him  to  declare  the  truth  of  the  matter,  telling  him 
that,  if  he  had  {^q.x\  the  fea  in  queflion,  I  would  give  him 
the  reward  which  I  had  promifed  him,  and  that,  if  he  had 
not  feen  it,  he  muft  tell  me  fo  without  caufing  me  farther 
trouble.  Aorain  he  affirmed  with  oaths  all  he  had  before 
faid,  and  that  he  would  demonftrate  to  me  the  truth  of  it, 
if  the  favages  would  give  us  canoes. 

Upon  this,  Thomas  came  and  informed  me,  that  the 
favages  of  the  illand  had  fecretly  fent  a  canoe  to  the  Nebi- 
ccrini,  to  notify  them  of  my  arrival.  Thereupon,  in  order 
to  profit  by  the  opportunity,  I  went  to  the  favages  to  tell 
them,  that  I  had  dreamed  the  paft  night  that  they  purpofed 
to  fend  a  canoe  to  the  Nebicerini  without  notifying  me  of 
it,  at  which  I  was  greatly  furprifed,  fince  they  knew  that  I 
was  defirous  of  going  there.  Upon  which  they  replied  that 
1  did  them  a  great  wrong  in  trufting  a  liar,  who  wanted 
to  caufe  my  death,  more  than  fo  many  brave  chiefs,  who 
were  my  friends  and  who  held  my  life  dear.     I  replied  that 

my 


I 


Sictcr  dc  Chaviplain, 


11 


my  man,  meaning  our  impoftor,  had  been  in  the  aforefaid 
country  with  one  of  the  relatives  of  TelToliat  and  had  leen 
the  lea,  the  wreck  and  ruins  of  an  T^ngHlh  velVel,  together 
with  eighty  fcalps  which  the  lavages  had  in  their  polVeffion, 
and  a  young  Enghfli  boy  whom  they  held  as  prilbner,  and 
whom  thcv  wilhed  to  give  nic  as  a  prelent. 

When  they  heard  me  Ipcak  of  the  fea,  velTels,  fcalps  of 
the  F.nghlh,  and  the  young  prilbner,  they  cried  out  more 
ll^an  liefore  that  he  was  a  liar,  and  thus  they  afterwards 
called  him,  as  if  it  wcix  the  greateft  inliilt  they  could  have 
\l\vne  him,  and  they  all  united  in  laying  that  he  ought  to  be 
jnit  to  death,  or  cllc  that  he  fliould  tell  with  whom  he  had 
gone  to  the  place  indicated,  and  flate  the  lakes,  rivers,  and 
roads,  by  which  he  had  gone.  To  this  he  replied  with  affur- 
ance,  that  he  had  forgf)tten  the  name  of  the  lavage,  although 
he  had  flated  to  me  his  name  more  than  twenty  times,  and 
even  on  the  previous  day.  In  relpecl  to  the  peculiarities  of 
the  country,  he  had  defcribed  them  in  a  paper  which  he  had 
handed  me.  Then  I  brought  forward  the  map  and  had 
it  explained  to  the  favages,  who  queflioned  him  in  regard 
to  it.  To  this  ho  made  no  reply,  but  rather  manifeffed  by 
his  fullen  filence  his  perverfe  nature. 

As  my  mind  was  wavering  in  uncertainty,  I  withdrew  by 
myfelf,  and  refiecled  upon  the  above-mentioned  particulars 
of  the  voyage  of  the  Englifh,  and  how  the  reports  of  our  liar 
were  quite  in  conformity  with  it,  alfo  that  there  was  little 
probability  of  this  young  man's  having  invented  all  that,  in 
which  cafe  he  would  not  have  been  willincj  to  undertake  the 
journey,  but  that  it  was  more  probable  that  he  had  leen  thefe 
things,  and  that  his  ignorance  did  not  permit  him  to  reply  to 

the 


f 


i 


\\ 


;     1 

,  r 

'    •   31 

M 


mf 


IIV 


i 


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I 


^  '' 


,4  I!  j     I 


t     I 


i 


78 


Voyages  of 


the  qiieflions  of  the  favai^cs.  To  tlie  above  is  to  be  added 
the  fact  that,  if  the  report  of  the  HngHlli  be  true,  the  North 
Sea  cannot  be  farther  dillant  from  this  region  than  a  hundred 
leagues  in  latitude,  for  I  was  in  latitude  47*^  and  in  longitude 
296".''  But  it  may  be  that  the  difficulties  attending  the 
paffage  of  the  falls,  the  roughnefs  of  the  mountains  covered 
with  Ihows,  is  the  reafon  why  this  people  have  no  knowledge 
of  the  fea  in  quoflion  ;  indeed  they  have  always  faid  that 
from  the  country  of  the  Ochateguins  it  is  a  journey  of  thirty- 
five  or  forty  days  to  the  fea,  which  they  fee  in  three  places, 
a  thing  which  they  have  again  affurcd  me  of  this  year.  But 
no  one  has  fpoken  to  me  of  this  ica  on  the  north,  except 
this  liar,  who  had  given  me  thereby  great  pleafure  in  view  of 
the  fliortnefs  of  the  journey. 

Now,  when  this  canoe  was  ready,  I  had  him  fummoned  into 
the  prefence  of  his  companions;  and  after  laying  before  him 
all  that  had  tranfpired,  I  told  him  that  any  further  diffimula- 
tion  was  out  of  the  queflion,  and  that  he  mufl  fay  whether 
he  had  fecn  thefe  things  or  not ;  that  I  was  defirous  of  im- 
proving the  opportunity  that  prefented  itfelf;  that  I  had 
forgotten  the  paft;  but  that,  if  I  went  farther,  I  would  have 
him  hung  and  flrangled,  which  Ihould  be  his  fole  reward. 
After  meditating  by  himfelf,  he  fell  on  his  knees  and  afked 
my  pardon,  declaring  that  all  he  had  faid,  both  in  France  and 

this 


■"  The  true  latitude,  as  we  have  ftated, 
a  It  ten,  note  6i,  is  about  45°  37' ;  but  on 
Champlain's  map  it  corrcfponds  with  the 
Aatement  in  the  text,  and  a  hundred 
leagues  north  of  where  they  then  were, 
as  his  map  is  conftrucled,  would  carry 
them  to  tlie   place   in   the   bay   where 


Hudfon  wintered,  as  ftated  by  Cham- 
plain,  and  as  laid  down  on  his  fmall 
map  included  in  this  volume  ;  but  the 
longitude  is  incorreft,  Allumette  Ifland 
being  two  or  three  degrees  eart  of  longi- 
tude 296",  as  laid  down  on  Champlain's 
map  of  1632. 


\ 


Sieur  de  Champldin. 


79 


this  country,  in  rulpcct  to  the  fca  in  queilion  was  faife ;  that 
lie  had  never  feen  it,  and  that  he  had  never  gone  farther 
than  the  village  of  Teiroliat ;  that  he  had  laid  thefe  things 
in  t)rder  to  return  to  Canada.  Overcome  with  wrath  at 
this,  I  had  him  removed,  being  unable  to  endure  him  any 
longer  in  my  prefence,  and  giving  orders  to  Thomas  to 
inquire  into  the  whole  matter  in  detail ;  to  whom  he  flated, 
that  he  did  not  belie\e  that  I  would  undertake  the  journey 
on  account  of  the  dangers,  thinking  that  Ibme  difficulty 
would  prelent  itlelf  to  ])revent  me  from  going  on,  as  in  the 
cafe  of  thefe  favages,  who  were  not  dil'poied  to  lend  me 
canoes;  and  accordingly  that  the  journey  would  be  put  off 
until  another  year,  when  he  being  in  I'Vance  would  be  re- 
warded for  his  difcovery  ;  but  that,  if  I  would  leave  him 
in  this  country,  he  would  go  until  he  found  the  fea  in  quef- 
tion,  even  if  he  fliould  die  in  the  attempt.  Thefe  were  his 
words  as  reported  lo  me  by  Thomas,  but  they  did  not  give 
me  much  fatisfaclion,  abounded  as  I  was  at  the  effrontery 
and  malicioufnefs  oi  this  liar  :  and  I  cannot  imagine  how 
he  could  have  devifed  this  impofition,  unlefs  that  he  had 
heard  of  the  above-mentioned  voyage  of  the  Englifh,  and  in 
the  hope  of  fome  reward,  as  he  faid,  had  the  temerity  to 
venture   on   it. 

Shortly  after  I  proceeded  to  notify  the  favages,  to  my 
great  regret,  of  the  malignity  of  this  liar,  ftating  that  he  had 
confeffed  the  truth  ;  at  which  they  were  delighted,  reproach- 
ing me  with  the  litde  confidence  I  put  in  them,  who  were 
chiefs  and  my  friends,  and  who  always  fpoke  the  truth  ; 
and  who  faid  that  this  liar  ought  to  be  put  to  death,  being 
extremely  malicious;  and  they  added.  Do  you  not  fee  that  he 

meant 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Hiotographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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80 


Voyages  of 


meant  to  caufe  your  death.  Give  him  to  us,  and  we  promife 
you  that  he  fhall  not  lie  any  more.  And  as  they  all  went 
after  him  fhouting,  their  children  alfo  fhouting  Hill  more, 
I  forbade  them  to  do  him  any  harm,  directing  them  to  keep 
their  children  alio  from  doing  fo,  inafmuch  as  I  wifhed  to 
take  him  to  the  Falls  to  (how  him  to  the  gentlemen  there, 
to  whom  he  was  to  bring  fome  fait  water ;  and  I  faid  that, 
when  I  arrived  there,  I  would  confult  as  to  what  fhould  be 
done  with  him. 

My  journey  having  been  in  this  manner  terminated,  and 
without  any  hope  of  feeing  the  fea  in  this  direction,  except  in 
imagination,  I  felt  a  regret  that  I  fhould  not  have  employed 
my  time  better,  and  that  I  fhould  have  had  to  endure  the  diffi- 
culties and  hardfhips,  which  however  I  was  obliged  patiently 
to  fubmit  to.  If  I  had  gone  in  another  direction,  according 
to  the  report  of  the  favages,  I  fhould  have  made  a  beginning 
in  a  thing  which  muft  be  poflponed  to  another  time.  At 
prefent  my  only  wifh  being  to  return,  I  defired  the  favages 
to  go  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Louis,  where  there  were  four  veffels 
loaded  with  all  kinds  of  merchandife,  and  where  they  would 
be  well  treated.  This  they  communicated  to  all  their  neigh- 
bors. Before  fetting  out,  I  made  a  crofs  of  white  cedar, 
which  I  phnted  in  a  prominent  place  on  the  border  of  the 
lake,  with  the  arms  of  France,  and  I  begged  the  favages  to 
have  the  kindnefs  to  preferve  it,  as  alfo  thofe  which  they 
would  find  along  the  ways  we  had  paffed ;  telling  them 
that,  if  they  broke  them,  misfortune  would  befall  them,  but 
that,  if  they  preferved  them,  they  would  not  be  affaulted  by 
their  enemies.  They  promifed  to  do  fo,  and  faid  that  I 
fhould  find  them  when  I  came  to  vifit  them  again. 

CHAPTER  V. 


Sieur  de  Charnplain. 


8i 


CHAPTER  V. 

OtR  Return  to  the  Falls. —  False  Alarm,  —  Ceremony  at  the  Chau- 
DifeRE  Falls.  —  Confession  of  our  Liar  before  all  the  Chief  Men. 
—  Our  Return  to  France. 

N  the  loth  of  June  I  took  leave  of  Teffoiiat,  a 
good  old  captain,  making  him  prefents,  and 
promifmg  him,  if  God  preferved  me  in  health, 
to  come  the  next  year,  prepared  to  go  to 
war.  He  in  turn  promifed  to  affcmble  a  large 
number  by  that  time,  declaring  that  I  fhould  fee  nothing  but 
favages  and  arms  which  would  pleafe  me ;  he  alfo  diredlcd 
his  fon  to  go  with  me  for  the  fake  of  company.  Thus  we  fct 
out  with  forty  canoes,  and  paffed  by  way ''^  of  the  river  we 
had  left,  v.'hich  extends  northward,  and  where  we  went  on 
Ihore  in  order  to  crofs  the  lakes.  On  the  way  we  met  nine 
large  canoes  of  the  Ouefcharini,  with  forty  flrong  and  power- 
ful men,  who  had  come  upon  the  news  they  had  received  ; 
we  alfo  met  others,  making  all  together  fixty  canoes;  and 
we  overtook  twenty  others,  who  had  fet  out  before  us,  each 
heavily  laden  with  merchandife. 

We  paffed  fix  or  feven  falls  between  the  ifland  of  the 
Algonquins'^  and  the  little  fall,'*  where  the  country  was  very 
unpleafant.     I  readily  realized  that,  if  we  had  gone  in  that 

diredion, 

"  By  the  Ottawa,  which  they  had  left  ''»  Allumette  Ifland. 

a  little  below  Portage  du  Fort,  and  not  '*  Near  Gould's   Landing,  below  or 

by  the  fame  way  they  had  come,  through  fouth  of  Portage  du  Fort. —  Vide  Cham- 

the   fyftem  of    fmall    lakes,   of   which  plain's A^rolade,hy A.]. RuRtWfl^loni- 

Muflcrat  lake  is  one.     Vide  Carle  de  la  real,  1879,  p.  6. 
Novvelle  France^  1632,  Vol.  L  p.  304. 

II 


\ 


\. 


h 

i 


I  . 


w 


U 


\,' 


I  , 


\h 


^i\ 


82 


Voyages  of 


dire(5lion,  we  fhould  have  had  much  more  trouble,  and  would 
with  difficulty  have  fucceeded  in  getting  through :  and  it 
was  not  without  reafon  that  the  favages  oppofed  our  liar,  as 
his  onl}'  object  was  to  caufe  my  ruin. 

Continuing  our  courfe  ten  or  twelve  leagues  below  the 
ifland  of  the  Algonquins,  we  relied  on  a  very  pleafant 
illand,  which  was  covered  with  vines  and  nut-trees,  and 
where  we  caught  forne  fine  filh.  About  midnight,  there 
arrived  two  canoes,  which  had  been  fifhing  farther  off,  and 
which  reported  that  they  had  feen  four  canoes  of  their 
enemies.  At  once  three  canoes  were  defpatched  to  recon- 
noitre, but  they  returned  without  having  feen  anything. 
With  this  alTurancc  all  gave  themfelves  up  to  fleep,  excepting 
the  women,  who  refolved  to  fpend  the  night  in  their  canoes, 
not  feeling  at  eafe  on  land.  An  hour  before  daylight  a 
favagc,  having  dreamed  that  the  enemy  were  attacking  them, 
jumped  up  and  ftarted  on  a  run  towards  the  water,  in 
order  to  efcape,  fliouting.  They  are  killing  me.  Thofe  be- 
longing to  his  band  all  awoke  dumfounded  and,  fuppofing 
that  they  were  being  purfued  by  their  enemies,  threw  them- 
felves into  the  water,  as  did  alfo  one  of  our  Frenchmen, 
who  fuppofed  that  they  were  being  overpowered.  At  this 
great  noife,  the  reft  of  us,  who  were  at  a  diftance,  were  at 
once  awakened,  and  without  making  farther  inveftigation  ran 
towards  them  :  but  as  we  faw  them  here  and  there  in  the 
water,  we  were  greatly  furprifed,  not  feeing  them  purfued 
by  their  enemies,  nor  in  a  ftate  of  defence,  in  cafe  of  neceffity, 
but  only  ready  to  facrifice  themfelves.  After  I  had  inquired 
of  our  Frenchman  about  the  caufe  of  this  excitement,  he 
told  me  that  a  favage  had  had  a  dream,  and  that  he  with 

the 


\A 


T 


Siettr  de  Champlain, 


83 


the  reft  had  thrown  themfclvcs  into  the  water  in  order  to 
elcapc,  fuppofmg  that  they  were  being  attacked.  /\ccord- 
ingly,  the  Itatc  of  the  cafe  being  afcertained,  it  all  pafled  off 
in  a  laugh. 

Continuing  our  way,  we  came  to  the  Chaudierc  Falls, 
where  the  favages  went  through  with  the  cuftomary  ceremony, 
which  is  as  follows.  After  carrying  their  canoes  to  the  foot 
of  the  Fall,  they  affemble  in  one  fpot,  where  one  of  them 
takes  up  a  colledion  with  a  wooden  plate,  into  which  each 
one  puts  a  bit  of  tobacco.  The  colle6\ion  having  been  made, 
the  plate  is  placed  in  the  midft  of  the  troupe,  and  all  dance 
about  it,  finging  after  their  ftyle.  Then  one  of  the  captains 
makes  an  harangue,  fetting  forth  that  for  a  long  time  they 
have  been  accuflomed  to  make  this  offering,  by  which  means 
they  are  infured  protedion  againft  their  enemies,  that  other- 
wife  misfortune  would  befall  them,  as  they  are  convinced  by 
the  evil  fpirit;  and  they  live  on  in  this  fuperflition,  as  in  many 
others,  as  we  have  faid  in  other  places.  This  done,  the 
maker  of  the  harangue  takes  the  plate,  and  throws  the  to- 
bacco into  the  midft  of  the  caldron,  whereupon  they  all 
together  raife  a  loud  cry.  Thefe  poor  people  are  fo  fuperfli- 
tious,  that  they  would  not  believe  it  poffible  for  them  to 
make  a  profperous  journey  without  obfcrving  this  ceremony 
at  this  place,  fince  their  enemies  await  them  at  this  portage, 
not  venturing  to  go  any  farther  on  account  of  the  difficulty 
of  the  journey,  whence  they  fay  they  furprife  them  there,  as 
they  have  fometimes  done. 

The  next  day  we  arrived  at  an  ifland  at  the  entrance  to 
a  lake,  and  fevcn  or  eight  leagues  diftant  from  the  great 
Falls  of  St.  Louis.     Here  while  repofing  at  night  we  had 

another 


Ml 
SI 


l^i. 


W 


II 


r 


»' 


1' 


f. 


84 


Voyages  of 


■-1 


ij  ^^ 


\  \  i 


another  alarm,  the  favagcs  fuppofing  that  they  had  feen  the 
canoes  of  their  enemies.  This  led  them  to  make  feveral 
large  fires,  which  I  had  them  put  out,  reprefcnting  to  them 
the  harm  wliich  might  refult,  namely,  that  inftead  of  con- 
cealing they  would  difclofe  themfelves. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  we  arrived  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Louis, 
where  I  found  L'Ange,  who  had  come  to  meet  me  in  a 
canoe  to  inform  me,  that  Sieur  de  Maifonneuve  of  St.  Malo 
had  brought  a  paffport  from  the  Prince  for  three  veffels.  In 
order  to  arrange  matters  until  I  fliould  fee  him,  I  affembled 
all  the  favages  and  informed  them  that  I  did  not  wifli  them 
to  traffic  in  any  merchandife  until  I  had  given  them  per- 
miffion,  and  that  I  would  furnifli  them  provilions  as  foon  as 
we  fliould  arrive ;  which  they  promifed,  faying  that  they  were 
my  friends.  Thus,  continuing  our  courfe,  we  arrived  at  the 
barques,  where  we  were  faluted  by  fome  difcharges  of  cannon, 
at  which  fome  of  our  favages  were  delighted,  and  others 
greatly  afloniflied,  never  having  heard  fuch  mufic.  After  I 
had  landed,  Maifonneuve  came  to  me  with  the  paffport  of 
the  Prince.  As  foon  as  I  had  feen  it,  I  allowed  him  and  his 
men  to  enjoy  the* benefits  of  it  like  the  refl  of  us;  and  I 
fent  word  to  the  favages  that  they  might  trade  on  the  next 
day. 

After  feeing  all  the  chief  men  and  relating  the  particulars 
of  my  journey  and  the  malice  of  my  liar,  at  which  they  were 
greatly  amazed,  I  begged  them  to  affemble,  in  order  that  in 
their  prefence,  and  that  of  the  favages  and  his  companions, 
he  might  make  declaration  of  his  malicioufnefs ;  which 
they  gladly  did.  Being  thus  affembled,  they  fummoned  him, 
and  afked  him,  why  he  had  not  Ihown  me  the  fea  in  the 

north, 


Sieur  de  Champlaiti. 


8s 


north,  as  he  had  promifed  me  at  his  departure.  He  replied 
that  he  had  promired  fomething  impoffible  for  him,  fmce  he 
had  never  feen  this  fea,  and  that  the  defire  of  making  the 
journey  had  led  him  to  fay  what  he  did,  alfo  that  he  did  not 
fuppofe  that  I  would  undertake  it ;  and  he  begged  them 
to  be  pleafed  to  pardon  him,  as  he  alfo  did  me  again,  con- 
fefHng  that  he  had  greatly  offended,  and  if  I  would  leave 
him  in  the  country,  he  would  by  his  efforts  repair  the  offence, 
and  fee  this  fea,  and  bring  back  truftworthy  intelligence 
concerning  it  the  following  year;  and  in  view  of  certain  con- 
fiderations  I  pardoned  him  on  this  condition. 

After  relating  to  them  in  detail  the  good  treatment  I  had 
received  at  the  abodes  of  the  favagcs,  and  how  I  had  been 
occupied  each  day,  I  inquired  what  they  had  done  during 
my  abfence,  and  what  had  been  the  refult  of  their  hunting 
excurfions,  and  they  faid  they  had  had  fuch  fuccefs  that  they 
generally  brought  home  fix  flags.  Once  on  St.  Barnabas  s 
day,  Sieur  du  Pare,  having  gone  hunting  with  two  others, 
killed  nine.  Thefe  flags  are  not  at  all  like  ours,  and  there 
arc  different  kinds  of  them,  fome  larger,  others  fmaller,  which 
refemble   clofely  our  deer.'^     They  had   alfo  a  very  large 

number 


"  At  that  time  there  were  to  be  found 
in  Canada  at  leaft  four  fpecies  of  the 
Cervus  Family. 

1.  The  Moofe,  Cervus  alces,  or  alces 
Americanus.  uiually  called  by  the  ear- 
lieft  writers  orignal  or  orii^nac.  VUe 
Vol.  I.  pp.  264,265.  This'is  thelargeft 
of  all  the  deer  family  in  this  or  in  any 
other  part  of  the  world.  The  average 
weight  has  been  placed  at  feven  hundred 
pounds,  while  extraordinary  fpecimens 
probably  attain  twice  that  weight. 

2.  The    Wapiti,  or  American    Elk, 


Ccr^ms  elaphus,  or  Canadenfis.  This 
is  the  largeft  of  the  known  deer  except 
the  preceding.  The  average  weight  is 
probably  lefs  than  fix  hundred  pounds. 

3.  The  Woodland  Caribou,  Cervus 
tarattdus.  It  is  fmaller  than  the  Wapiti. 
Its  range  is  now  moflly  in  the  northern 
regions  of  the  continent,  but  fpecimens 
are  rtill  found  in  Nova  Scotia  and  New 
Brunfwick.  The  female  is  armed  with 
antlers  as  well  as  the  male,  though  they 
are  fmaller. 

4.  The  Common  Deer,  Cervus   Vir- 

ginianus 


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86 


Voyages  of 


number  of  pigeons,'*'  and  alfo  fifli,  fuch  as  pike,  carp,  fturgeon, 
fliad,  barbel,  turtles,  bals,  and  other  kinds  unknown  to  us, 
on  which  they  dined  and  fupped  every  day.  They  were  alfo 
all  in  better  condition  than  myfelf,  who  was  reduced  from 
work  and  the  anxiety  which  I  had  experienced,  not  having 
eaten  more  than  once  a  day,  and  that  of  fifli  badly  cooked 
and  half  broiled. 

On  the  2 2d  of  June,  about  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the 
favages  founded  an  alarm  becaufe  one  of  them  had  dreamed 
he  had  fecn  the  Iroquois.  In  order  to  content  them,  all  the 
men  took  their  arms,  and  fome  were  fcnt  to  their  cabins 
to  reaffure  them,  and  into  the  approaches  to  reconnoitre,  fo 
that,  finding  it  was  a  falfe  alarm,  they  were  fatisiied  with 
the  firing  of  fome  two  hundred  mufket  and  arquebus  fliots, 
after  which  arms  were  laid  down,  the  ordinary  guard  only 
being  left.  This  reaffured  them  greatly,  and  they  were  very 
glad  to  fee  the  French  ready  to  help  them. 

After  the  favages  had  bartered  their  articles  of  merchan- 
dife  and  had  refolved  to  return,  I  afked  them  to  take  with 
them  two  young  men,  to  treat  them  in  a  friendly  manner, 
fliow  them  the  country,  and  bind  themfelves  to  bring  them 
back.  But  they  flrongly  objeded  to  this,  reprefenting  to  me 
the  trouble  our  liar  had  given  me,  and  fearing  that  they 
would  bring  me  falfe  reports,  rs  he  had  done.  I  replied  that 
they  were  men  of  probity  and  truth,  and  that  if  they  would 
not  take  them  they  were  not  my  friends,  whereupon  they 

refolved 

ginianus.     It  lias  the  wideft  ranjre  of  aiid  Deer  of  America  by  John    Dean 

any  of  the  deer  family.     It  is  (till  found  Caton,  LL.l3.,  Bofton,  1877. 

in  every  degree  of  latitude  from  Mexico  '*  Palombcs.     The  paitenger,  or  wild 

to   Britifli   Columbia.       Vide  Antelope  pigeon,  Ectopijle:  migratorius. 


'  '1     i> 


Sietir  de  Champlaifu 


8 


rcfolvcd  to  do  fo.  As  for  our  liar,  none  of  the  favages 
wanted  him,  notwithftanding  my  rcqueft  to  them  to  take 
him,  and  we  left  him  to  the  mercy  of  God. 

Finding  that  I  had  no  further  bufinefs  in  this  country,  I 
refolved  to  crol's  in  the  firft  vcffel  that  fliould  return  to 
France.  Sieur  de  Mailbnneuve,  having  his  ready,  offered 
me  a  paffage,  which  I  accepted;  and  on  the  27th  of  June  I 
fct  out  with  Sieur  L'Ange  from  the  Falls,  where  we  left  the 
other  veffels,  which  were  awaiting  the  return  of  the  favages 
who  had  gone  to  the  war,  and  we  arrived  at  Tadouffac  on 
the  6th  of  July. 

On  the  8th  of  Augufl'^  we  were  enabled  by  favorable 
weather  to  fet  fail.  On  the  i8th  we  left  Gafpe  and  Ifle 
Percce.  On  the  28th  we  were  on  the  Grand  Bank,  where 
the  green  filhery  is  carried  on,  and  where  wc  took  as  many 
fifli  as  we  wanted. 

On  the  26th  of  Augufl  we  arrived  at  St.  Malo,  where  I 
faw  the  merchants,  to  whom  I  reprefented  the  eafe  of  form- 
ing a  good  affociation  in  the  future,  which  they  refolved  to 
do,  as  thofe  of  Rouen  and  La  Rochelle  had  done,  after 
recognizing  the  neceffity  of  the  regulations,  without  which 
it  is  impoffible  to  hope  for  any  profit  from  thefi  lands.  May 
God  by  His  grace  caufe  this  undertaking  to  profper  to  His 
honor  and  glory,  the  converfion  of  thefe  poor  benighted 
ones,  and  to  the  welfare  and  honor  of  France. 


■"  Le  8  Aoujl.  Laverdicre  fu^cefts 
with  much  plaufibility  that  this  fliould 
read  "The  8th  of  July."  Champlain 
could  hardly  have  found  it  necefTary  to 
remain  at  Tadouflac  from  the  6th  of 


July  to  the  8th  of  Auguft  for  favorable 
weather  to  fail.  If  he  had  been  de- 
tained by  any  other  caufe,  it  would 
probably  have  been  deemed  of  fufiicient 
gravity  to  be  fpecially  mentioned. 


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'I 


VOYAGES 


AND 


DISCOVERIES  IN  NEW  FRANCE, 

From  the  year  1615  to  the  end  of  the  year  1618. 


BY 

SIEUR    DE    CHAMPLAIN, 

Captain  in  ordinary  to  the  King  in  the  Western  Sea. 

WHERE    ARE    DESCRIRED 

THE  MANNERS,  CUSTOMS,  DRESS,  MODE  OF  WAR- 
fare,  hunting,  dances,  festivals,  and  method  of  burial  of  various 
savage  peoples,  with  many  remarkable  experiences  of  the  author 
in  this  country,  and  an  account  of  the  beauty,  fertility,  and  tem- 
perature of  the  same. 


PARIS. 

Claude  Collet,  in  the  Palace,  at  the  gallery  of  the  Prisoners. 


M.    DC.    XIX. 
WITH  AUTHORITY   OF   THE   KING. 


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TO    THE    KING. 


t 


IRE. 

This  is  a  third  volume  containing;  a  narrative 
of  20 hat  has  traufpired  mojl  worthy  of  note 
during  the  voyages  I  have  made  to  New  France^ 
and  its  pcrufal  zuill,  I  think,  ajford  your  Majcjly  greater 
pleafire  than  that  of  thofe  pr  ceding,  which  only  defignate 
the  ports,  harbors,  fituations,  declinations,  and  other  particu- 
lars, havino  more  interejl  for  navigators  and  failors  than  for 
other  perfons.  In  this  narrative  you  luill  be  able  to  obferve 
more  efpccially  the  manners  and  mode  of  life  of  thefe  ;  ^oples 
both  in  particular  and  in  general,  their  wars,  ammunition, 
method  of  attack  a7id  of  defence,  their  expeditions  and  retreats 
in  various  circumflances,  matters  about  which  thofe  intercjled 
defire  informatio7i.  You  zvill  perceive  alfo  that  they  are  not 
favage  to  fuch  an  extent  that  they  could  not  in  courfe  of  time  and 
through  ajfociation  with  others  become  civilized  and  cultivated. 
Vou  will  likewife  perceive  how  great  hopes  we  cherijh  from 
the  long  and  arduous  labors  we  have  for  the  pafl  fifteen  years 
fufiained,  in  order  to  plant  in  this  country  the  fia^idard  of 

the 


4.      <i 

Li 


<l 


f  , 


I-rt'-T-    IIUIII       .1.    LLIU! 


92 


To  the  King, 


!.2's.'' 


'i  f 


I    I 


ft 


the  cro/s,  and  to  teach  the  people  the  knowledge  of  God  and  the 
glory  of  His  holy  name,  it  being  our  defire  to  cultivate  a  feel- 
ing of  charity  towards  His  tmfortunate  creatures,  which  it 
is  our  duty  to  p^'aclife  more  patiently  than  any  other  thing, 
efpccially  as  there  are  many  who  have  not  entertained  ftich 
purpofcs,  but  have  been  injhienctd  only  by  the  dcfire  of  gain. 
Ncvcrthelefs  we  may,  I  fuppofe,  believe  that  thefe  are  the 
means  which  God  makes  tife  of  for  the  greater  promotion  of 
the  holy  dcfire  of  others.  As  the  fruits  which  the  trees  bear 
ai'e  from  God,  the  Lord  of  the  foil,  who  has  planted,  ''uatcred, 
and  nourifJicd  them  with  an  efpccial  care,  fo  your  Majefly  can 
be  called  the  legitimate  lord  of  our  labors,  and  the  good  refill- 
ing from  them,  not  only  becaufe  the  land  belongs  to  you,  but 
alfo  becaifc  you  have  proten.cd  us  againfi  fo  matiy  perfo7is, 
whofe  only  objefl  has  been  by  troubling  us  to  prevent  the  fuc- 
cefs  of  fo  holy  a  determination,  taking  from  tis  the  power  to 
trade  freely  in  apart  of  your  country,  and  flriving  to  bring 
everything  into  confufion,  which  would  be,  in  a  word,  pre- 
paring the  way  for  the  rtiin  of  everything  to  the  injury  of 
your  flate.  To  this  end  your  fubjeHs  have  employed  every 
conceivable  artifice  and  all  pofjlble  meajzs  which  they  thought 
could  itijure  21s.  But  all  thefe  efforts  have  been  thwarted  by 
your  Majcfiy,  ajfified  by  your  prudeiit  cotincil,  who  have  given 
7is  the  authority  of  your  name,  and  fupportcd  us  by  your  de- 
crees rendered  in  our  favor.  This  is  an  occafwn  for  increafing 
in  us  our  long-cherifhed  dcfire  to  fend  communities  and  col- 
onies there,  to  teach  the  people  the  knowledge  of  God,  and 
inform  them  of  the  glory  and  triumphs  of  your  Majefiy,fo 
that  together  luitk  the  French  language  they  may  alfo  acquire 
a  French  heart  and  fpirit,  ivhich,  next  to  the  fear  of  God, 

will 


To  the  King, 


93 


zuill  be  infpired  with  nothing  fo  ardently  as  the  defire  to  f ewe 
you.  Should  our  defign  fucceed,  the  glory  of  it  7vill  be  due, 
after  God,  to  your  Majcfly^  who  will  receive  a  thoufand  bene- 
din io7is  from  Heaven  for  f a  many  fouls  faved  by  your  in/lrti- 
mentality,  and  your  name  will  be  immortalized  for  carrying 
the  glory  aiid  fceptrc  of  the  French  as  far  to  the  Occident  as 
your  prccurfors  have  extended  it  to  the  Orie?it,  and  over  the 
entire  habitable  earth.  This  will  aiigment  the  quality  of 
Most  Christian  belongijtg  to  you  above  all  the  hijigs  of  the 
earth,  and  f/iow  that  it  is  as  much  yotir  due  by  merit  as  it  is 
your  own  of  right,  it  having  been  tranfmitted  to  you  by  your 
prcdeceffors,  zuho  acquired  it  by  t/eir  virtues ;  for  you  have 
been  pleafed,  in  addition  to  fo  many  other  important  affairs, 
to  give  your  attention  to  this  one,fo  feriottfly  neglefied  hith- 
erto, God's  fpccial  grace  refcrving  to  yotir  reign  the  ptibli- 
cation  of  His  gofpel,  and  the  knowledge  of  His  holy  name 
to  fo  many  tribes  who  had  never  heard  of  it.  And  fonie  day 
may  God's  grace  lead  them,  as  it  does  us,  to  pray  to  Him 
without  ceafing  to  extend  your  empire,  and  to  vouchfafe  a 
thoufand  bleffings  to  your  Majcfly. 


Sire, 


Your  mofl  humble,  mofl  faithful, 

and  mofl  obedient  ferv ant  and  fubjeH:, 

CHAMPLAIN. 


yVA. 


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'M 


PREFACE. 


% 


S  in  the  various  affairs  of  the  world  each  thing 
ftrives  for  its  perfection  and  the  prefervation  of 
its  beinor  fo  on  the  other  hand  does  man  in- 
terefl  himfelf  in  the  different  concerns  of  others 
on  fome  account,  either  for  the  public  good,  or 
to  acquire,  apart  from  the  common  intereft,  praife  and  repu- 
tation with  fome  profit.  Wherefore  many  have  purfued  this 
courfc,  but  as  for  myfelf  I  have  made  choice  of  the  moft 
unpleafant  and  diilficult  one  of  the  perilous  navigation  of  the 
feas ;  with  the  purpofe,  however,  not  fo  much  of  gaining 
wealth,  as  the  honor  and  glory  of  God  in  behalf  of  my  King 
and  country,  and  contributing  by  my  labors  fomething  ufeful 
to  the  public  good.  And  I  make  declaration  that  I  have 
not  been  tempted  by  any  other  ambition,  as  can  be  clearly 
perceived,  not  only  by  my  condu6l  in  the  paft,  but  alfo  by 
the  narratives  of  my  voyages,  made  by  the  v':ommand  of  His 
Majefly,  in  New  France,  contained  in  my  firfl  and  fecond 
books,  as  may  be  feen  in  the  fame. 

Should  God  blefs  our  purpofe,  which  aims  only  for  His 
glory,  and  fhould  any  fruit  refult  from  our  difcoveries  and 
arduous  labors,  I  will  return  thanks  to  Him,  and  for  Your 
Majefty's  protedlion  and  aififtance  will  continue  my  prayers 
for  the  aggrandizement  and  prolongation  of  your  reign. 


I!  I 


;  H 

;  H 


if. 


11 


W^A 


EXTRACT  FROM  THE  LICENSE  OF  THE  KING. 


|Y  favor  and  licenfe  of  the  King,  permiflion  is 
given  to  Claude  Collet,  merchant  bookfeller 
in  our  city  of  Paris,  to  print,  or  have  printed 
by  liich  printer  as  (hall  feem  good  to  him,  a 
book  entitled,  Voyages  and  Difcovcries  m  N'ew 
France,  from  the  Year  1615  to  the  End  of  the  Year  1618. 
By  Sieur  de  Champlain,  Captain  i7i  Ordi7iary  to  the  King 
in  the  Wcflern  Sea.  All  bookfellers  and  printers  of  our 
kingdom  are  forbidden  to  print  or  have  printed,  to  fell 
wholefale  or  retail,  faid  book,  except  with  the  confent  of 
faid  Collet,  for  the  time  and  term  of  fix  years,  beginning 
with  the  day  when  faid  book  is  printed,  on  penalty  of  confif- 
cation  of  the  copies,  and  a  fine  of  four  hundred  livres,  a  half 
to  go  to  us  and  a  half  to  faid  petitioner.  It  is  our  will, 
moreover,  that  this  Licenfe  fliould  be  placed  at  the  com- 
mencement or  end  of  faid  book.     This  is  our  pleafure. 

Given  at  Paris,  the  i8tn  rU^  of  May,  161 9,  and  of  our 
reign  the  tenth. 

By  the  Council, 


V 


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DE   CESCAUD. 


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4 


VOYAGE 

OP 

SIEUR  DE  CHAMPLAIN  TO  NEW  FRANCE, 


MADE    IN    THE    YEAR     1615. 


\n\ 


HE  ftrong  love,  which  I  have  always  cheriOied 
for  the  exploration  of  New  France,  has  made 
me  defirous  of  extending  more  and  more  my 
travels  over  the  country,  in  order,  by  means 
of  its  numerous  rivers,  lakes,  and  ftreams,  to 
obtain  at  laft  a  complete  knowledge  of  it,  and  alfo  to 
become  acquainted  with  the  inhabitants,  with  the  view  of 
bringing  them  to  the  knowledge  of  God.  To  this  end  I 
have  toiled  conftantly  for  the  part  fourteen  or  fifteen  years,"^ 
yet  have  been  able  to  advance  my  defigns  but  little,  be- 
caufe  I  have  not  received  the  affiftance  which  was  necef- 
fary  for  the  fuccefs  tf  fuch  an  undertaking.     Neverthelefs, 

without 

"'  Champlain's  firfl  voyage  was  made     in  i6ig.     It  was  therefore  fully  fifteen 
in  1603,  and  this  journal  was  publifhed    years  fince  his  explorations  began. 


( 

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Voyages  of 


'J: 


1 


)  \ 


s  \ 


without  lofing  courage,  I  have  not  ceafed  to  pufli  on,  and 
vifit  various  nations  of  the  favages ;  and,  by  affociating 
familiarly  with  them,  I  have  concluded,  as  well  from  their 
converlation  as  from  the  knowledge  already  attained,  that 
there  is  no  better  way  than,  dilregarding  all  florms  and 
diflficulties,  to  have  patience  until  His  Majefly  fliall  give 
the  requifite  attention  to  the  matter,  and  meanwhile,  not 
only  to  continue  the  exploration  of  the  country,  but  alfo  to 
learn  the  language,  and  form  relations  and  friendfliips  with 
the  leading  men  of  the  villages  and  tribes,  in  order  to  lay 
the  foundations  of  a  permanent  edifice,  as  well  for  the  glory 
of  God  as  for  the  renown  of  the  French. 

And  His  Majefty  having  transferred  and  intrufted  the 
fuperintendence  of  this  work  to  Monfeigneur  the  Prince  de 
Conde,  the  latter  has,  by  his  management,  under  the  author- 
ity of  His  Majefly,  fuflained  us  againfl  all  forts  of  jealoufies 
and  obftacles  concerted  by  evil  wifliers.  This  has,  as  it  were, 
animated  me  and  redoubled  my  courage  for  the  continuation 
of  my  labors  in  the  exploration  of  New  France,  and  with 
increafed  effort  I  have  puflied  forward  in  my  undertaking 
into  the  mainland,  and  farther  on  than  I  had  previoufly 
been,  as  will  be  hereafter  indicated  in  the  courfe  of  this 
narrative.  ^ 

But  it  is  appropriate  to  Hate  firfl  that,  as  I  had  obferved 
in  my  previous  journeys,  there  were  in  fome  places  people 
permanently  fettled,  who  were  fond  of  the  cultivation 
of  the  foil,  but  who  had  neither  faith  nor  law,  and  lived 
without  God  and  religion,  like  brute  beafts.  In  view  of 
this,  I  felt  convinced  that  I  fliould  be  committing  a  grave 
offence  if   I  did  not  take  it  upon  myfelf  to  devife   fome 

means 


Sicmr  de  Cliamplaiu. 


lOI 


means  of  bringing  them  to  the  knowledge  of  God.  To 
this  end  I  exerted  myfelf  to  find  Ibme  good  friars,  with 
zeal  and  affection  for  the  glory  of  God,  that  I  miglit 
perfuade  them  to  lend  Ibme  one,  or  go  thcmlelves,  with  me 
to  thefe  countries,  and  try  to  plant  there  the  faith,  or  at 
leafl  do  what  w^s  poffible  according  to  their  calling,  and 
thus  to  obferve  and  alcertain  whether  any  good  fruit  could 
be  gathered  there.  But  fmce  to  attain  this  objecl  an 
expenditure  would  be  required  exceeding  my  means,  and 
for  other  reafons,  I  deferred  the  matter  for  a  while,  in  view 
of  the  difificulties  there  would  be  in  obtaining  what  was 
neceffary  and  requifitc  in  fuch  an  enterprife  ;  and  fince, 
furthermore,  no  perlbns  offered  to  contribute  to  it.  Never- 
thelefs,  while  continuing  my  learch,  and  communicating  my 
plan  to  various  perfons,  a  man  of  difl;in61ion  chanced  to  pre- 
fent  himfelf,  whofe  intimate  acquaintance  I  enjoyed.  This 
was  Sieur  Hoiiel,  Secretary  of  the  King  and  Controller- 
general  of  the  fait  works  at  Brouage,  a  man  of  devoted 
piety,  and  of  great  zeal  and  love  for  the  honor  of  God  and 
the  extenfion  of  His  religion.'''  He  gave  me  the  following 
information,vvhich  afforded  me  great  pleafure.  He  faid 
that  he  was  acquainted  with  fome  good  religious  Fathers,  of 
the  order  of  the  Recolle6ls,  in  whom-  he  had  confidence ; 
and  that  he  enjoyed  fuch  intimacy  and  confidence  with 
them  that  he  could  eafily  induce  them  to  confent  to  under- 
take the  voyage ;  and  that,  as  to  the  neceffary  means 
for  fending  out  three  or  four  friars,  there  would  be  no  lack 

of 

'•  Vide  Hijloire  du  Canada,  par  Sa-     is  likewife  referred  to  the  Memoir  of 
gard,  Trofs  ed.,  pp.  27,  28.     The  reader     Champliin,  Vol.  I.  pp.  122-124. 


t    I  ' 


t 


f 


\         ':' 


li  J; 


'i^' 


r«^ 


»>ii  II     iMiiininrjimi 


asm 


ii 


h 


'A. 

h  ii 


I  I 


^    ! 


Ml    I 


'    I 


I02 


Voyages  of 


of  people  of  property  who  would  give  them  what  they 
needed,  offering  for  his  part  to  affift  them  to  the  extent  of 
his  ability ;  and,  in  fa6l,  he  wrote  in  relation  to  the  fubjedl 
to  Father  du  Verger,**"  who  welcomed  with  joy  the  under- 
taking, and,  in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of 
Sieur  Hoiiel,  communicated  it  to  fome  of  his  brethren,  who, 
burning  with  charity,  offered  themfelves  freely  for  this  holy 
undertaking. 

Now  he  was  at  that  time  in  Saintonge,  whence  he  fent 
two  men  to  Paris  with  a  commiffion,  though  not  with  abfo- 
lute  power,  referving  the  reft  to  the  Nuncio  of  our  Holy 
Father  the  Pope,  who  was  at  that  time,  in  1614,  in  France.^* 
He  called  upon  thefe  friars  at  their  houle  in  Paris,  and  was 
greatly  pleafed  with  their  refolution.  We  then  went  all  to- 
gether to  fee  the  Sieur  Nuncio,  in  order  to  communicate  to 
him  the  commifTion,  and  entreat  him  to  interpofe  his  author- 
ity in  the  matter.  But  he,  on  the  contrary,  told  us  that  he 
had  no  power  whatever  in  fuch  matters,  and  that  it  was  to 
their  General  that  they  were  to  addrefs  themfelves.  Not- 
withftanding  this  reply,  the  Recolledls,  in  confideration  of 
the  diflficulty  of  the  miffion,  were  unwilling  to  undertake 
the  journey  on  the  authority  of  Father  du  Verger,  fearing 
that  it  might  not  be  fufificient,  and  that  the  commiffion 
might  not  be  valid,  on  which  account  the  matter  was  poft- 
poned  to  the  following  year.  Meanwhile  they  took  coun- 
fel,  and  came  to  a  determination,  according  to  which  all 
arrangements  were  made  for  the  undertaking,  which  was 

to 

8'*  Bernard  du  Verger,  a  man  of  ex-        **  Robert  Ubaldini  was  nuncio  at  this 
alted  virtue.  —  Laverdihe.  time.     Vide  Laverdiire  in  loco. 


^r 


Sietir  de  Champlain, 


103 


to  be  carried  out  in  the  following  Ipring ;  awaiting  which 
the  two  friars  returned  to  their  convent  at  lirouaijje. 

I  for  my  part  in^proved  the  time  in  arranging  my  affairs 
in  preparation  for  the  voyage. 

Some  months  after  the  departure  of  the  two  friars,  the 
Reverend  Father  ChapoUin,  Provincial  of  the  Recolledl 
Fti^ihers,  a  man  of  great  piety,  returned  to  Paris.  Sieur 
Ilouel  called  on  him,  and  narrated  what  had  taken  place 
relpeding  the  authority  of  P^ather  du  Verger,  and  the 
miffion  he  had  given  to  the  Recolledl;  Fathers.  After  which 
narrative  the  Provincial  Father  proceeded  to  extol  the  plan, 
and  to  interefl  himfelf  with  zeal  in  it,  promifing  to  promote  it 
with  all  his  power,  and  adding  that  he  had  not  before  well 
comprehended  the  fubjeft  of  this  miffion  ;  and  it  is  to  be 
believed  that  God  infpired  him  more  and  more  to  profecute 
the  matter.  Subfeqiiently  he  fpoke  of  it  to  ]VIonf(.igneur  the 
Prince  de  Conde,  and  to  all  the  cardinals  and  bifliops  who 
were  then  affembled  at  Paris  for  the  Seffion  of  the  Ellates. 
All  of  them  approved  and  commended  the  plan  ;  and  to  fhovv 
that  they  were  favorably  difpofed  towards  it,  they  affured 
the  Sieur  Provincial  that  they  would  devife  among  them- 
felves  and  the  members  of  the  Court  means  for  raifing  a 
fmall  fund,  and  that  they  would  colle6l  fome  money  for 
affifting  four  friars  to  be  chofen,  and  who  were  then  chofcn 
for  the  execution  of  fo  holy  a  work.  And  in  order  to  facili- 
tate the  undertaking,  I  vifited  at  the  Eftates  the  cardinals 
and  bifliops,  and  urgently  reprefented  to  them  the  advantage 
and  ufefulnefs  which  might  one  day  refult,  in  order  by  my 
entreaties  to  move  them  to  give,  and  caufe  others  who 
might  be  ftimulated  by  their  example  to  give,  contri- 
butions 


i'  I 


(I 


Ui 


M 


Hi 


I 


''  I! 


i{'\ 

i 


■i 


}■■ 


104 


Voyages  of 


butions  and  prefents,  leaving  all  to  their  good  will  and 
judgment. 

The  contributions  which  were  made  for  the  cxpenfes  of 
this  expedition  amounted  to  nearly  fifteen  hundred  livrcs, 
which  were  put  into  my  hands,  and  then  employed,  accord- 
ing to  the  advice  and  in  the  prelencc  of  the  Fathers,  for  the 
purchafe  of  what  was  nccelTary,  not  only  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  Fathers  who  fliould  undertake  the  journey  into 
New  France,  but  alfo  for  their  clothing,  and  the  attire  and 
ornaments  ncccffary  for  performing  divine  lervice.  The 
friars  were  lent  on  in  advance  to  Honflcur,  where  their 
embarkation  was  to  take  place. 

Now  the  Fathers  who  were  appointed  for  this  holy 
enterprife  were  Father  Denis ''^  as  commiflary,  Jean  d'Ol- 
beau,^''  Jofcph  le  Caron,  and  Pacifique  du  Pleffis,**^  each  of 
whom  was  moved  by  a  holy  zeal  and  ardor  to  make  the 
journey,  through  God's  grace,  in  order  to  fee  if  they  might 
produce  fomc  good  fruit,  and  plant  in  thefe  regions  the 
ftandard  of  Jefus  Chrifl,  determined  to  live  and  to  die 
for  His  holy  name,  fliould  it  be  neceffary  to  do  fo  and 
the  occafion  require  it.  Everything  having  been  prepared, 
they  provided  thcmfelves  with  church  ornaments,  and  we 
with  what  was  neceffary  for  our  voyage. 

I  left  Paris  the  lafl  day  of  February  to  meet  at  Rouen 
our  affociates,  and  reprefent  to  then  the  will  of  Monfeigneur 
the    Prince,  and  alfo   his  defire   that  thefe  good   Fathers 

fliould 


Sagard  writes  this 


8^2  Denis  Jamay. 
pame  Jamet. 

88  Jean  d'Olbeau.  Vide  Hijloire  du 
Canada,  par  Gabriel  Sagard,  Paris,  1636, 
Trofsed.,  Vol.  I.  p.  28. 


^^  Pacifique  du  Pleflis  was  a  lay- 
brother,  although  the  title  of  Father  is 
given  to  him  by  feveral  early  writers. 
Vide  citations  by  Laverdilre  in  loco, 
Quebec  ed..  Vol.  IV.  p.  7. 


Siciir  dc  Cliantplain. 


los 


fliould  make  the  journey,  fincc  he  recognized  the  {:\,Ci  that 
the  affairs  of  tlic  country  could  hardly  reach  any  perfedlion 
or  advancement,  if  God  ihould  not  full  of  all  be  Icrved ;  with 
which  our  afibciates  were  highly  pleafed,  promifmg  to  alTill 
the  Fathers  to  the  extent  of  their  ability,  and  jjrovidc  them 
with  the  fupport  they  might  need. 

The  Fathers  arrived  at  Rouen  the  twentieth  of  March 
following,  where  wc  Hayed  fome  time.  Thence  we  went  to 
Honfleur  to  embark,  where  we  alio  flayed  fome  days,  waiting 
for  our  veffel  to  be  got  ready,  and  loaded  with  the  necel- 
faries  for  fo  long  a  voyage.  Meanwhile  preparations  were 
made  in  matters  of  conlcience,  fo  that  each  one  of  us  might 
examine  himfelf,  and  cleanle  himfelf  from  his  fins  by  peni- 
tence and  confeffion,  in  order  to  celebrate  the  facrament 
and  attain  a  ftate  of  grace,  fo  that,  being  thereby  freer  in 
confcience,  v;e  might,  under  the  guidance  of  God,  expofe 
ourfelves  to  the  mercy  of  the  waves  of  the  great  and 
perilous  fea. 

This  done,  we  embarked  on  the  veffel  of  the  affociation, 
which  was  of  three  hundred  and  fiftv  tons  burden,  and  was 
called  the  Saint  Etienne,  commanded  by  Sieur  de  Pont 
Grave.  We  departed  from  Honfleur  on  the  twenty-fourth 
day  of  Auguft,^  in  the  above-mentioned  year,  and  fet  fail 
with  a  very  favorable  wind.  We  continued  on  our  voyage 
without  encountering  ice  or  other  dangers,  through  the 
mercy  of  God,  and  in  a  fliort  time  arrived  off  the  place 
called   Tadoujpic,  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  May,  when  we 

rendered 

"  Read  April  24.    It  is  obvious  from     Sagard  fays  le  24  cTAuril.     Vide  Hif- 
the  context  that  it  could  not  be  Auguft.     toire  du  Canada^  Trofs  ed.,  Vol.  I.  p.  36. 

14 


J' 


!  1 


hjj 


io6 


Voyages  of 


l! 


i   'V 


rendered  thanks  to  God  for  having  condu(5led  us  fo  favor- 
ably to  the  harbor  of  our  dellination. 

Then  we  began  to  fct  men  at  work  to  fit  up  our  barques 
in  order  to  go  to  Quebec,  the  place  of  our  abode,  and  to  the 
great  Falls  of  Saint  Louis,  the  rendezvous  of  the  favages, 
who  come  there  to  traffic. 

The  barques  having  been  fitted  up,  we  went  on  board 
with  the  Fathers,  one  of  whom,  named  Father  Jofeph,^  de- 
fired,  without  flopping  or  making  any  ftay  at  Quebec,  to  go 
diredly  to  the  great  Falls,  where  he  faw  all  the  favages  and 
their  mode  of  life.  This  induced  him  to  go  and  fpend  the 
winter  in  their  country  and  that  of  other  tribes  who  have  a 
fixed  abode,  not  only  in  order  to  learn  their  language,  but  alfo 
to  fee  what  the  profpe(5l:  was  of  their  converfion  to  Chriflian- 
ity.  This  refolution  having  been  formed,  he  returned  to  Que- 
bec the  twentieth  day  of  June^'  for  fome  church  ornaments 
and  other  neceffaries.  Meanwhile  I  had  flayed  at  Quebec  in 
order  to  arrange  matters  relating  to  our  habitation,  as  the 
lodgings  of  the  Fathers,  church  ornaments,  the  conftrudlion 
of  a  chapel  for  the  celebration  of  the  mafs,  as  alfo  the  em- 
ployment of  perfons  for  clearing  up  lands.  I  embarked  for 
the  Falls  together  with  Father  Denis,^  who  had  arrived  the 
fame  day  from  Tadouffac  with  Sieur  de  Pont  Grave. 

As  to  the  other  friars,  viz..  Fathers  Jean  and  Pacifique,^^ 
they  flayed  at  Quebec  in  order  to  fit  up  their  chapel  and 
arrange  their  lodgings.  They  were  greatly  pleafed  at  feeing 
the  place  fo  different  from  what  they  had  imagined,  which 
increafed  their  zeal.  vxf 

8^  The    Recolleft    Father  Jofeph   le        '*  Father  Denis  Jamay. 
Caron.  89  jgan  d'Olbeau  and    Pacifique  du 

5''   Vide  Laverdih-e  in  loco.  Fleffis. 


i 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


107 


We  arrived  at  the  Riviere  dcs  Prairies,  five  leacrues  below 
the  Falls  of  Saint  Louis,  whither  the  favages  had  come  down. 
I  will  not  attempt  to  fpeak  of  the  pleafure  which  our 
Fathers  experienced  at  feeing,  not  only  fo  long  and  large  a 
river,  filled  with  many  fine  iflands  and  bordered  by  a  region 
apparently  fo  fertile,  but  alfo  a  great  number  of  ftrong  and 
robufl  men,  with  natu»'es  not  fo  favage  as  their  manners, 
nor  as  they  acknowledged  they  had  conceived  them  to  be, 
and  very  different  from  what  they  had  been  given  to  under- 
fland,  owing  to  their  lack  of  cultivation.  I  will  not  enter 
into  a  defcription  of  them,  but  refer  the  reader  to  what  I 
have  faid  about  them  in  my  preceding  books,  printed  in 
the  year  1614."^ 

To  continue  my  narrative  :  We  met  Father  Jofeph,  who 
was  returning  to  Quebec  in  order  to  make  preparations, 
and  take  what  he  needed  for  wintering  in  their  country. 
This  I  did  not  think  advifable  at  this  feafon,  but  coun- 
felled  him  rather  to  fpend  the  winter  at  our  fettlement  as 
being  more  for  his  comfort,  and  undertake  the  journey 
when  fpring  came  or  at  leafl  in  fummer,  offering  to  accom- 
pany him,  and  adding  that  by  doing  fo  he  w'ould  not  fail 
to  fee  what  he  might  have  feen  by  going,  and  that  by 
returning  and  fpending  the  winter  at  Quebec  he  would 
have  the  fociety  of  his  brothers  and  others  who  remained 
at  the  fettlement,  by  which  he  would  be  more  profited 
than  by  flaying  alone  among  thefe  people,  with  whom  he 
could  not,  in  my  opinion,  have  much  fatisfadion.     Never- 

thelefs, 

"*  This  refers  to  the  volume  bearing  date  1613,  but  which  may  not  have  been 
aftually  iffued  from  the  prefs  till  1614. 


(i 


ii 


f 


I 


t*         !l 


io8 


Voyages  of 


thelcfs,  in  fpite  of  all  that  could  be  faid  to  him  and  all 
reprefentations,  he  would  not  change  his  purpofe,  being 
urged  by  a  godly  zeal  and  love  for  this  people,  and  hoping 
to  make  known  to  them  their  falvation. 

His  motive  in  undertaking  this  enterprife,  as  he  flated  to 
us,  was  that  he  thought  it  was  neccffary  for  him  to  go  there 
not  only  in  order  to  become  better  acquainted  with  the 
characfteriflics  of  the  people,  but  alfo  to  learn  more  eafily 
their  language.  In  regard  to  the  difficulties  which  it  was 
reprefented  to  him  that  he  would  have  to  encounter  in  his 
intercourfe  with  them,  he  felt  affurec  that  he  could  bear  and 
overcome  them,  and  that  he  could  adapt  himfclf  very  well 
and  cheerfully  to  the  manner  of  living  and  the  inconveni- 
ences he  would  find,  through  the  grace  of  God,  of  whofe 
goodnef?^,  and  help  he  felt  clearly  affured,  being  convinced 
that,  fmce  he  went  on  His  fervice,  and  fince  it  was  for  the 
glory  of  His  name  and  the  preaching  of  His  holy  golpel 
that  he  undertook  freely  this  journey,  He  would  never 
abandon  him  in  liis  undertaking.  And  in  regard  to  tempo- 
ral provifions  very  little  was  needed  to  fatisfy  a  man  who 
demands  nothing  but  perpetual  poverty,  and  who  feeks  for 
nothing  but  heaven,  not  only  for  himfelf  but  alfo  for  his 
brethren,  it  not  being  confiflent  with  his  rule  of  life  to  have 
any  other  ambition  than  the  glory  of  God,  and  it  being  his 
purpofe  to  endure  to  this  end  all  the  hardfliips,  fufferings, 
and  labors  which  might  offer. 

Seeing  him  impelled  by  fo  holy  a  zeal  and  fo  ardent  a 
charity,  I  was  unwilling  to  try  any  more  to  reftrain  him. 
Thus  he  fet  out  with  the  purpofe  of  being  the  firft  to  an- 
nounce  through   His  holy  favor  to  this  people   the  name 

of 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


109 


of  God,  having  the  great  fatisfaction  that  an  opportunity 
prefentcd  itfelf  for  fuffering  fbmt*^hing  for  the  name  and 
glory  of  our  Saviour  Jefus  Clirifl;. 

As  foon  as  I  had  arrived  at  the  Falls,  I  vifited  the  people, 
who  were  very  defu'ous  of  feeing  us  and  delighted  at  our 
return.  They  hoped  that  we  would  furnifh  them  fome 
of  our  number  to  affifl:  them  in  their  wars  againfl  our 
enemies,  reprefenting  to  us  that  chey  could  with  difficulty 
come  to  us  if  we  fliould  not  affifl  them;  for  the  Iroquois, 
they  faid,  their  old  enemies,  were  always  on  the  road 
obftru6ling  their  paffage.  Moreover  I  had  conftantly  prom- 
ifed  to  affift  them  in  their  wars,  as  they  gave  us  to  under- 
fland  by  their  interpreter.  Whereupon  Sieur  Pont  Grave 
and  myfelf  concluded  that  it  was  very  neceffary  to  affift 
them,  not  only  in  order  to  put  them  the  more  under  obliga- 
tions to  love  us,  but  alfo  to  facilitate  my  undertakings  and 
explorations  which,  as  it  feemed,  could  only  be  accomplifhed 
by  their  help,  and  alfo  as  this  would  be  a  preparatory  ftep  to 
their  converfion  to  Chriftianity.^^  Therefore  I  refolvcd  to 
go  and  explore  their  country  and  affift  them  in  their  wars,  in 
order  to  oblige  them  to  fliow  me  what  they  had  fo  many 
t  .nes  promifed  to  do. 

We  accordingly  caufed  them  all  to  affemble  together,  that 
we  might  communicate  to  them  our  intention.  When  they 
had  heard  it,  they  promifed  to  furnifli  us  two  thoufand  five 
hundred  and  fifty  men  of  war,  who  would  do  wonders,  with 
the  underftanding  that  I  with  the  fame  end  in  view  fliould 

furnifh 

®i  Our  views   of  the  war  policy  of  Champlain  are  dated  at  fome  length  in 
Vol.  I.   pp.   189-193. 


!   \ 


in 


'  1 


Voyages  of 


furnifh  as  many  men  as  poffible.  This  I  promifed  to  do,  be- 
ing very  glad  to  lee  them  decide  fo  well.  Then  I  proceeded 
to  make  known  to  them  the  methods  to  be  adopted  for  fight- 
ing, in  which  they  took  efpecial  pleafure,  manifefting  a  strong 
hope  of  victory.  Everything  having  been  decided  upon,  we 
feparated  with  the  intention  of  returning  for  the  execution 
of  our  undertaking.  But  before  entering  upon  this  journey, 
which  would  require  not  lefs  than  three  or  four  months,  it 
fc^imed  defirable  that  I  fliould  go  to  our  fettlement  to  make 
the  neceffary  arrangements  there  for  my  abfence. 

On   the day  of following   I   fet    out  on   my 

return  to  the  Riviere  des  Prairies.®^  While  there  with  two 
canoes  of  favages  I  met  Father  Jofeph,  who  was  returning 
from  our  fettlement  with  fome  church  ornaments  for  cele- 
brating the  holy  facrifice  of  the  mafs,  which  was  chanted  on 
the  border  of  the  river  with  all  devotion  by  the  Reverend 
Fathers  Denis  and  Jofeph,  in  prefence  of  all  the  people,  who 
were  amazed  at  feeing  the  ceremonies  obferved  and  the 
ornaments  which  feemed  to  them  fo  handfome.  It  was 
fomething  which  they  had  never  before  feen,  for  these  Fa- 
thers were  the  firfl  who  celebrated  here  the  holy  mafs. 

To  return  and  continue  the  narrative  of  my  journey :   I 

arrived  at  Quebec  on  the  26th,  where  I  found  the  Fathers 

Jean  and  Pacifique  in  good  health.     They  on  their  part 

did  their  duty  at  that   place  in  getting  all  things  ready. 

They  celebrated  the  holy  mafs,  which  had  never  been  faid 

there  before,  nor  had  there  ever  been  any  priefl  in  this 

re2:ion.  tt     • 

^  Havmg 

•2  Laverdi&re  thinks  it  probable  that  was  celebrated  on  the  Riviere  des 
Champlain  left  the  Falls  of  St.  Louis  on  Prairies  on  the  24th,  the  feftival  of  St. 
the  23d  of  June,  and  that  the  Holy  Mafs    John  the  Baptifl. 


if 


Sieur  de  Ckamplain, 


1 1 1 


Having  arranged  all  matters  at  Quebec,  I  took  with  me 
two  men  and  returned  to  the  Riviere  des  Prairies,  in  order 
to  go  with  the  lavages.  I  left  Quebec  on  the  fourth  day  of 
July,  and  on  the  eighth  of  the  month  while  en  route  I  met 
Sieur  du  Pont  Grave  and  Father  Denis,  who  were  returning 
to  Quebec,  and  who  told  me  that  the  lavages  had  departed 
greatly  difappointed  at  my  not  going  with  them ;  and  that 
many  of  them  declared  that  we  were  dead  or  had  been  taken 
by  the  Iroquois,  fmce  I  was  to  be  gone  only  four  or  five  days, 
but  had  been  gone  ten.  This  made  them  and  even  our 
own  Frenchmen  give  up  hope,  fo  much  did  they  long  to  fee 
us  again.  They  told  me  that  Father  Joleph  had  departed 
with  twelve  Frenchmen,  who  had  been  furniflied  to  affift  the 
favages.  This  intelligence  troubled  me  fomewhat;  fmce,  if  I 
had  been  there,  I  lliould  have  arranged  many  things  for  the 
journey,  which  I  could  not  now  do.  I  was  troubled  not 
only  on  account  of  the  fmall  number  of  men,  but  alfo 
becaufe  there  were  only  four  or  five  who  were  acquainted 
with  the  handling  of  arms,  while  in  fuch  an  expedition  the 
bell  are  not  too  good  in  this  particular.  All  this  however 
did  not  caufe  me  to  lofe  courage  at  all  for  going  on  with  the 
expedition,  on  account  of  the  defire  I  had  of  continuing  my 
explorations.  I  feparated  accordingly  from  Sieurs  du  Pont 
Grave  and  Father  Denis,  determined  to  go  on  in  the  two 
canoes  which  I  had,  and  follow  after  the  favages,  having 
provided  myfelf  with  what  I  needed. 

On  the  9th  of  the  month  I  embarked  wuth  two  others, 
namely,  one  of  our  interpreters'-'^  and  my  man,  accompanied 

by 

'*  This  interpreter  was  undoubtedly    policy  of    Champlain   to  fend   fuitable 
Etienne  Brul^.    It  was  a  clearly  defined    young  men  among  the  favages,  particu- 
larly 


f 


*•»! 


I  :■ 


ri 


it: 


f  ' 


w 


^m 


I  12 


Voyages  of 


'i  ! 


!     I 


by  ten  favagcs  in  the  two  canoes,  thefe  being  all  they  could 
carry,  as  they  were  heavily  loaded  and  encumbered  with 
clothes,  which  prevented  me  from  taking  more  men. 

We  continued  our  voyage  up  the  River  St.  Lawrence  fome 
fix  leagues,  and  then  went  by  the  Riviere  dcs  Prairies, 
which  difcharges  into  that  river.  Leaving  on  the  left  the 
Falls  of  St.  Louis,  which  are  five  or  fix  leagues  higher  up, 
and  pafifing  feveral  fmall  falls  on  this  river,  we  entered  a  lake,'-^ 
after  paffing  which  we  entered  the  river  where  I  had  been 
before,  which  leads  to  the  Algonquins,^^  a  diftance  of  eighty- 
nine  leagues ^°  from  the  Falls  of  St.  Louis.  Of  this  river  ! 
have  made  an  ample  defcription,  with  an  account  of  my 
explorations,  in  my  preceding  book,  printed  in  1614.°^  For 
this  reafon  I  fliall  not  fpeak  of  it  in  this  narrative,  but  pafs 
on  direclly  to  the  lake  of  the  Algonquins.^^  Here  we  en- 
tered a  river ^  which  flows  into  this  lake,  up  which  we  went 
fome  thirty-five  leagues,  paffing  a  large  number  of  falls  both 
by  land  and  water,  the  country  being  far  from  attractive,  and 
covered  with  pines,  birches,  and  fome  oaks,  being  alfo  very 
rocky,  and  in  many  places  somewhat  hilly.  Moreover  it  was 
very  barren  and  fterile,  being  but  thinly  inhabited  by  certain 
Algonquin  favages.  called  Otaguottouemin}^  who  dwell  in 

the 


i  ! 


larly  to  learn  their  language,  and  fub- 
fequently  to  a(5t  as  interpreters.  Brule 
is  fuppofed  to  have  been  of  this  clafs. 

®*  Tlie  Lake  of  Two  Mountains. 

*5  The  River  Ottawa,  which  Cham- 
plain  had  explored  in  1613,  as  far  as 
AUumet  liland,  where  a  tribe  of  the 
Algonquins  refided,  called  later  KicJie- 
Jipiritii.  V'de  Relation  des  Jcfuites, 
1640,  p.  34. 

^"  This  is  an  over-eflimate. 

8^  Champlain  here  again,   Vide  note 


90,  refers  to  the  ifTue  bearing  date  1613. 
It  is  not  unlikely  that  while  it  bears  the 
imprint  of  1613.  it  did  not  actually  ifiue 
from  the  prefs  till  1614. 

*^  The  lake  or  expanfion  of  the  Ottawa 
on  the  fouthern  fide  of  Allumet  Ifland 
was  called  the  lake  of  the  Algonquins, 
as  Allumet  Ifland  was  oftentimes  called 
the  Ifland  of  the  Algonquins. 

99  The  River  Ottawa. 

100  P6re  Vimont  calls  this  tribe  Kota- 
koutouemi.    Relanon  des  J^fuiles,  1640, 

P-  34- 


Sieur  de  Cliaviplain. 


113 


the  country,  and  live  by  hunting  and  the  fifh  they  catch  in 
the  rivers,  ponds,  and  lakes,  with  which  the  region  is  well 
provided.  It  fcenis  indeed  that  God  has  been  pleated  to 
eive  to  thefe  forbiddino:  and  delert  lands  fome  thincrs  in 
their  fealbn  for  the  refrelhment  of  man  and  the  inhabitants 
of  thefj  places.  For  I  alVure  you  that  there  are  along  the 
rivers  many  (Irawberries,  alfo  a  marvellous  quantity  of  blue- 
berries,"^^ a  little  fruit  very  good  to  eat,  and  other  fmall 
fruits.  The  people  here  dry  thefe  fruits  for  the  winter,  as 
we  do  plums  in  France  for  Lent.  We  left  this  river,  which 
comes  from  the  north,^'^^  and  by  which  the  favages  go  to  the 
Saguenay  to  barter  their  furs  for  tobacco.  This  place  is 
fituated  in  latitude  46",  and  is  very  pleafant,  but  otherwife 
of  little  account.^°'^ 

Continuing  our  journey  by  land,  after  leaving  the  river  of 
the  Algonquins,  we  palled  feveral  lakes  ^'-^  where  the  favages 
carry  their  canoes,  and  entered  the  lake  of  the  Nipiffings,^°'' 
in  latitude  46''  15',  on  the  twenty-fixth  day  of  the  month, 

havincf 


p.  34.  Ptjre  Rogueneau  skives  Oufaouko- 
toiiemiouek,  and  remarks  tliat  their  lan- 
guage is  a  mixture  of  Algonquin  and 
Montagnais.  Vide  Relation  des-  Jcfitites, 
1650,  p.  34  ;  alfo  Laveiuiicre  in  loco. 

^"1  Blues,  blueberries.  The  Canada 
blueberry,  Vacciniitni  Caiiadenfe.  Under 
the  icrm  ^/«t'j  feveral  varieties  mav  have 
bee'n  included.  Charlevni.x  defcril:>es 
and  figures  this  fruit  under  tlie  name 
Bluet  du  Canada.  Vide  Dcf crip t ion  dei 
FLinies  Principalcs  d''.  IWnidrique  Scp- 
tentrionale.  in  Ilijloire  de  la  Xouvclle 
France,  Paris.  1744,  Tom.  IV.  pp.  371, 
372  ;  also  Vol.  I.  p.  303,  note  75,  of  this 
work. 

^"^  At  its  junction  with  the  Mattawan, 
the  Ottawa's  courft;  is  from  the  north. 


What  is  known  as  its  eafl  branch  rifes 
150  miles  nortli  of  the  citv  of  Ottawa. 
E.\tending  towards  ♦!•'»  weft  in  a  winding 
courfe  for  the  diftai.ce  uT  about  300 
miles,  it  turns  towards  the  foutheaft, 
and  a  few  miles  before  it  joins  the  Mat- 
tawan its  courfe  is  dirertly  fouth.  From 
its  northeaftern  fource  by  a  fliort  por- 
tage is  readied  the  river  Cliomouclionan, 
an  affluent  of  Lake  St.  John  and  the 
Sa^nenay. 

1'^^  Mattawa  is  197  miles  from  Ottawa. 
We  have  no  means  of  giving  the  latitude 
with  entire  accuracy,  but  it  is  about 
46'  co'. 

10*  Lac  du  Talon  «..d  Lac  la  Tortue. 

^°5  Nipiffings,  or  Nipiffirini.  Cham- 
plain  writes  Nipifieriuii. 


m 


\ . 


.1^ 


!i 


15 


ll 


r 


N 


\:-\ 


m 


m 


114 


Voyages  of 


havinj^  gone  by  land  and  the  lakes  twenty-five  leagues,  or 
thereabouts.^'*  We  then  arrived  at  the  cabins  of  the  fav- 
ages,  with  whom  we  flayed  two  days.  There  was  a  large 
number  of  them,  who  gave  us  a  very  welcome  reception. 
They  are  a  people  who  cultivate  the  land  but  little.  A 
fliows  the  drefs  of  thefe  people  as  they  go  to  war ;  B  that  of 
the  women,  which  differs  in  no  wife  from  that  of  the  Mon- 
tagnais  and  the  great  people  of  the  Algonquins,  extending 
far  into  the  interior.^'^^ 

During  the  time  that  I  was  with  them  the  chief  of  this 
tribe  and  their  mofl  prominent  men  entertained  us  with 
many  banquets  according  to  their  cuftom,  and  took  the 
trouble  to  go  fifliing  and  hunting  with  me,  in  order  to  treat 
me  with  the  grcatell  courtefy  poffiblc.  Thefe  people  are 
very  numerous,  there  being  from  feven  to  eight  hundred 
fouls,  who  live  in  general  near  the  lake.  This  contains  a 
large  number  of  very  plcafant  iflands,  among  others  one 
more  than  fix  leagues  long,  with  three  or  four  fine  ponds 
and  a  number  of  fine  meadows ;  it  is  bordered  by  very  fine 
woods,  that  contain  an  abundance  of  game,  which  fre- 
quent the  little  ponds,  where  the  favages  alfo  catch  fifh. 
The  northern  fide  of  the  lake  is  very  pleafant,  with  fine 
meadows  for  the  grazing  of  cattle,  and  many  little  ftreams, 
difcharo'ins:  into  the  lake. 

They  were  fifhing  at  that  time  in  a  lake  very  abundant  in 
various  kinds  of  fiih,  among  others  one  a  foot  long  that  was 

very 

loo  On  the  26th  of  July.    The  diftance  lated  miles,  it  would  be  a  not  very  incor- 

from  the  jun<5tion  of  the   Ottawa   and  reel;  ellimate. 

the  Mattawan  to  Lake  Nipiffing  is  about  i"   Vide  the  representations  here  re- 
thirty-two  miles.     If  lieues  were  tranf-  ferred  to. 


^ 


Sicitr  dc  Champlain. 


1 1 


vcrv  c:ood.  Tlierc  arc  alfo  otlicr  kinds  which  the  fava^cs 
catch  for  the  purpofc  of  dryint;  and  lloring  away.  The  lake 
is  fome  eicjht  leacrues  broad  and  twentv-five  loncr,'"*^  into 
which  a  river ^"^^  flows  from  the  northweft,  along  which  they 
go  to  barter  the  merchandife,  which  we  give  them  in  ex- 
change for  their  peltry,  with  thofe  who  live  on  it,  and  who 
fupport  themfclves  by  hunting  and  filhing,  their  country  con- 
taining great  quantities  of  animals,  birds,  and  fifli."" 

After  refting  two  days  with  the  chief  of  the  Nipiffings 
we  re-embarked  in  our  canoes,  and  entered  a  river,  by  which 
this  lake  difcharges  itfelf.^^^  We  proceeded  down  it  fome 
thirty-five  leagues,  and  defcended  feveral  little  falls  by  land 
and  by  water,  until  we  reached  Lake  Attigouautan.  All 
this  region  is  flill  more  unattractive  than  the  preceding, 
for  I  faw  along  this  river  only  ten  acres  of  arable  land,  the 
reft  being  rocky  and  very  hilly.  It  is  true  that  near  Lake 
Attigouautan  we  found  fome  Indian  corn,  but  only  in  fmall 
quantity.  Here  our  favages  proceeded  to  gather  fome 
fquaflies,  which  were  acceptable  to  us,  for  our  provifions 
began  to  give  out  in  confequence  of  the  bad  management  of 
the  favages,  who  ate  fo  heartily  at  the  beginning  that  towards 
the  end  very  little  was  left,  although  we  had  only  one  meal 
a  day.  But,  as  I  have  mentioned  before,  we  did  not  lack  for 
blueberries"^  and  ftrawberries ;  otherwife  we  fhould  have 
been  in  danger  of  being  reduced  to  ftraits. 

We  met  three  hundred  men  of  a  tribe  we  named  C/ieveux 

RclcveSj 


"*  Lake  Nipifling,  whofe  dimenfions 
are  over-ftated. 

1"^  Sturgeon  River. 

^^^  P^re  Vimont  gives  the  names  of 
thefe    tribes    as    follows, —  rimifcimi. 


Outimagami,  Ouachegami,  yfitchita- 
Mou,  Outiirbi,  Kiristinon.  Vide  Rela- 
tion des  Jcfuifes.     1640.  p.  34. 

'"  French  River. 

"'  Blues.     Vide  antea,  note  10 1. 


f  '  •■ 


« 


It  11 


'! 


, 


1 

1 

1 

! 

l' 

1 

i 

'' 

■ 

,1 

I  u 


t  , 


'<  I 


\^ 


ii6 


Voyages  of 


Rchvt's}^^  (\ncQ  their  hair  is  very  liigh  and  carefully  arranged, 
and  Ijcttcr  drclTcd  beyond  all  comparifon  than  that  of  our 
courtiers,  in  fpite  of  their  irons  and  refinements.  This  gives 
them  a  handfome  appearance.  They  have  no  breeches, 
and  their  bodies  .ire  very  much  pinked  in  divifions  of  vari- 
ous  Ihapes.  They  paint  their  faces  in  various  colors,  have 
their  nodrils  pierced,  and  their  ears  adorned  with  beads. 
When  they  go  out  of  their  houles  they  carry  a  club.  I 
vifited  them,  became  fomewhat  acquainted,  and  formed  a 
friend fliip  with  them.  I  gave  a  hatchet  to  their  chief,  who 
was  as  much  pleafed  and  delighted  with  it  as  if  I  had  given 
him  fome  rich  prefent.  Entering  into  converfation  with 
him,  I  inquired  in  regard  to  the  extent  of  his  country,  which 
he  pictured  to  me  with  coal  on  the  bark  of  a  tree.  He  gave 
me  to  underftand  that  he  had  come  into  this  place  for 
drying  the  fruit  called  dlu'cs}^^  to  ferve  for  manna  in  winter, 
and  when  they  can  find  nothing  clfe.  A  and  C  fhow  the 
manner  in  which  they  arm  themfelves  when  they  go  to  w^r. 
They  have  as  arms  only  the  bow  and  arrow,  made  in  the 
manner  you  fee  depi6led,  and  which  they  regularly  carry ; 
alfo  a  round  fliield  of  dreffed  leather"^  made  from  an  animal 
like  the  buffalo."*^ 

The  next  day  we  feparated,  and   continued  our  courfe 
along  the  fhore  of  the  lake  of  the  Attigouautan,"'^  which 

contains 


"8  This  fignificant  name  is  given  with 
reference  to  their  mode  of  dreffing  their 
hair. 

1'*  Blaeberries,  r(7iY///z//;«  Canadeufe. 

^'^  De  ciiir  Ixiillti,  for  cuir  boiiilli, 
literally  "  boiled  leather." 

"•  The  (hields  of  the  favages  of  this 


region  may  have  been  made  of  the  hide 
of  the  buffalo,  although  the  range  of  this 
animal  was  far  to  the  northweRof  them. 
Champlain  faw  undoubtedlj'  among  the 
Hurons  Ikins  of  tlie  buffalo.  / 'ide  postea, 
note  I  So. 

^"  Lake  Huron  is  here  referred  to. 


v*^ 


i 


7* 


1 


i 


Sicttr  dc  Champ/a  in. 


117 


contains  a  large  number  of  illands.  Wc  went  fomc  forty- 
five  leagues,  all  the  lime  along  the  Ihore  of  the  hike.  It  is 
very  large,  nearly  four  hundred  leagues  long  from  eall  to 
weft,  and  fifty  leagues  broad,  and  in  view  of  its  great  extent 
I  have  named  it  the  Alcr  Doncc}^^  It  is  very  abundant  in 
various  forts  of  very  good  filh,  botli  thofe  which  we  have  .ma 
thofe  we  do  not,  but  efpecially  in  trout,  which  are  enor- 
moufly  large,  fome  of  which  I  faw  as  long  as  four  feet  and 
a  half,  the  lead  being  two  feet  and  a  half.  There  are  alfo 
pike  of  like  fize,  and  a  certain  kind  of  fburgeon,  a  very  large 
fiih  and  of  remarkable  excellence.  The  country  bordering 
this  lake  is  partly  hilly,  as  on  the  north  fide,  and  partly  flat, 
inhabited  by  favages,  and  thinly  covered  with  wood,  includ- 
ing oaks.  After  croffing  a  bay,  which  forms  one  of  the 
extremities  of  the  lake,"'^  we  went  fome  feven  leagues  until 
we  arrived  in  the  country  of  the  Attigouautan  at  a  village 
called  Otoiiacha,  on  the  firfl  day  of  Auguft.  Here  we  found 
a  great  change  in  the  country.  It  was  here  very  fine,  the 
largefl  part  being  cleared  up,  and  many  hills  and  feveral  riv- 
ers rendering  the  region  agreeable.  I  went  to  fee  their  Indian 
corn,  which  was  at  that  time  far  advanced  for  the  feafon. 

Thefe 


^"  The  ji^reatefl:  lengtli  of  Lake  Huron 
on  a  curvilinear  line,  between  the  dif- 
charge  of  St.  Mary's  Strait  and  tlie  out- 
let, is  about  240  miles;  its  length  due 
north  and  fouth  is  1S6  miles,  ancl  its  ex- 
treme breadth  about  220  miles.  Boii 
chette. 

"'  Coalling  along  the  eaftern  (linre  of 
the  Georgian  Bay,  when  they  arrived  at 
Matchedalh  Bay  tiiey  croUed  it  in  a 
fouthwcllcrly  courfc  and  entered  the 
country  of  the  Attigouautans,  or,  as  they 
are  fometimes  called,  the  Attignaouen- 
tans.    Relation  des  ye/uites,  1640,  p.  78. 


They  were  a  principal  tribe  of  the 
Ilurons,  living  within  the  limits  of  the 
prefent  county  of  Simcoe.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  the  Jefuit  Fathers  did 
not  accompany  their  relations  with  local 
maps  by  which  we  could  fix,  at  leaft 
ap]5roximately,  the  Indian  towns  which 
they  vifited,  and  with  which  tlicy  were 
fo  familiar.  For  a  defcrijition  of  tlie 
Hurons  and  of  tlicir  country,  the  origin 
of  tlie  name  and  otlier  interelling  par- 
ticulars, 7>ide  Pcre  Hierofme  Lalciitant, 
Rcilntion  des  JJ/intcs,  1639,  Quebec  ed. 
p.  so. 


« 


I 


M 


) 


■■:ii 


U 


(^ 


I    \ 


!i 


'i       ^ 


1 


ii8 


Voyages  of 


Thcfc  localities  fecmed  to  mc  very  pleafant,  in  compari- 
fon  with  fo  dilagrccable  a  region  as  that  from  which  we  had 
come.  The  next  day  I  went  to  another  village,  called  Car- 
rnaron,  a  league  dillant  from  this,  where  they  received  us  in 
a  very  friendly  manner,  making  for  us  a  banquet  with  their 
bread,  fqualhes,  and  fifli.  As  to  meat,  that  is  very  fcarce 
there.  The  chief  of  this  village  earnellly  begged  me  to  flay, 
to  which  I  could  not  confent,  but  returned  to  our  village, 
where  on  the  next  night  but  one,  as  I  went  out  of  the  cabin 
to  efcape  the  fleas,  of  which  there  were  large  numbers  and 
by  which  we  were  tormented,  a  girl  of  little  modefty  came 
boldly  to  me  and  offered  to  keep  me  company,  for  which 
I  thanked  her,  fending  her  away  with  gentle  remonflrances, 
and  fpent  the  night  with  fome  favages. 

The  next  day  I  departed  from  this  village  to  go  to  an- 
other, called  Touaguainchain,  and  to  another,  called  Tcque- 
iionquiaye,  in  which  we  were  received  in  a  very  friendly 
manner  by  the  inhabitants,  who  fliowed  us  the  befl:  cheer 
they  could  with  their  Indian  corn  ferved  in  various  ftyles. 
This  country  is  very  fme  and  fertile,  and  travelling  through 
it  is  very  pleafant. 

Thence  I  had  them  cruide  me  to  Carhagouha,  which  was 
fortified  by  a  triple  palifade  of  wood  thirty-five  feet  high  for 
its  defence  and  prote6tion.  In  this  village  Father  Jofeph 
was  flaying,  whom  we  faw  and  were  very  glad  to  find  well. 
He  on  his  part  was  no  lefs  glad,  and  was  expelling  nothing 
fo  little  as  to  fee  me  in  this  country.  On  the  twelfth  day  of 
Augufl  the  Recolle6l  Father  celebrated  the  holy  mafs,  and 
a  crofs  was  planted  near  a  fmall  houfe  apart  from  the  village, 
which  the  favages  built  while  I  was  flaying  there,  awaiting 

the 


Sicttr  de  Champlain, 


119 


tlic  arrival  of  our  men  and  their  preparation  to  go  to  the 
war,  in  whicli  they  had  been  for  a  long  time  engaged. 

Finding  that  they  were  ^o  flow  in  aHembling  their  army, 
afid  that  I  ihould  have  time  to  vilit  their  country,  I  relblved 
to  go  by  fliort  days'  journeys  from  village  to  village  as  far  as 
Cahiague,  where  the  rendezvous  of  the  entire  army  was  to 
be,  and  which  was  fourteen  leagues  diilant  from  Carhagouha, 
from  which  village  I  fet  out  on  the  fourteenth  of  Auguft 
with  ten  of  my  companions.  I  vifited  five  of  the  more  im- 
portant villages,  which  were  enclofed  with  palilades  of  wood, 
and  reached  Cahiague,  the  principal  village  of  the  country, 
where  there  were  two  hundred  large  cabins  and  where  all 
the  men  of  war  were  to  aflcmble.  Now  in  all  thefe  villages 
they  received  us  very  courtcoufly  with  their  fimple  welcome. 
All  the  country  where  I  went  contains  fome  twenty  to 
thirty  leagues,  is  very  fine,  and  fituated  in  latitude  44"  30'. 
It  is  very  extcnfively  cleared  up.  They  plant  in  it  a  great 
quantity  of  Indian  corn,  which  grows  there  finely.  They 
plant  likewife  Iquaflies,^-''  and  fun-flowers,^-^  from  the  feed  of 
which  they  make  oil,  with  which  they  anoint  the  head.  The 
region  is  cxtenfively  traverfed  with  brooks,  difcharging  into 
the  lake.     There  arc  many  very  good  vines  ^^  and  plums, 

which 

^-''  Silroiiilles   for  citroiiillcs.      Vide  Soleil  is  a  plant  very  common  in  tlio 

Vol.  II.  p.  64,  note  128.  fields  of  the  fav.itjes,  and  whicli  yrous 

^■^'  lIcrbcaiifolciL    The  funflower  of  feven   or  eit,dit  feet   hiijh.      Its  flower. 

Northeall  America,  Hclianthus  iiiitlti-  which  is  very  larire.  is  in  the   fli.ipe  of 

floras.      This   fpecies   is    found    from  the  marigold,  and  the  feed  i^rows  in  tlie 

Quebec  to  the  Salkatchewan.  a  tributary  fame  manner.     The  favajjjes.  liy  boilinij 

of  Lake  Winnipeg.      I'idc  Chronological  it,  draw   out  an   oil,   witli   which    they 

Hiftory  of  Plants,  by  Charles  Pickering,  greafe  their  hair."  Letters  to  the  Diitchefs 

M.D.,^  Bolton,  1879.  p.  914.      Charle-  of  l.r/di'^uieres,  London,  1763,  p.  05. 

voix,  in  the  defcriijtion  of  his  journev  ^--   Vii^nes.     Probably  the  froft  grape, 

through  Canada  in   1720,  fays:     "The  Vitis  cordifolia. 


'. 


\ 


n 


s 


, 


L 


'!   i 

I 
f 

i- 

Hi- 

t! 


\  [ 


H 


ii 


u 


3  n 


,';:  t 


I20 


Voyages  of 


wliich  are  excellent,^^  rafpbcrrics/"^  llrawberries,^^  little 
wild  apples,^^*^  nuts,^^'  and  a  kind  of  fruit  of  the  form  and 
color  of  fmall  lemons,  with  a  fimilar  tafte,  but  having  an 
interior  which  is  very  good  and  almolt  like  that  of  figs. 
The  plant  which  bears  this  fruit  is  two  and  a  half  feet 
high,  with  but  three  or  four  leaves  at  moil,  which  are 
of  the  fliape  of  thofe  of  the  fig-tree,  and  each  plant  bears 
but  two  pieces  of  fruit.  There  are  many  of  thefe  plants 
in  various  places,  the  fruit  being  very  good  and  favory.^^^ 
Oaks,  elms,  and  beeches  ^^^  are  numerous  here,  as  alfo  forefts 
of  fir,  the  regular  retreat  of  partridges ^'^'^  and  hares.^^^  There 
are  alfo  quantities  of  fmall  cherries ^'^■^  and  black  cherries,^^ 
and  the  fame  varieties  of  wood  that  we  have  in  our  forefts  in 
France,     The  foil  feems  to  me  indeed  a  little  fandy,  yet  it  is 

for 


1J3  Prunes.  The  Canada  plum, /';'«««j 

Americana. 

1^*  Frainboifcs.  The  wild  red  rafp- 
berry,  Rnbtis  Jiriiiofus. 

1:5  Praifes.  The  wild  ftrawberry, 
Fragaria  I'irginiana.  Vide  PiJccriui^ 
Chro.  Hist.  Plants,  p.  77i- 

1-''  Pctitcs  ponmtes  fauuages.  Prob- 
ably the  American  crab-apple,  Pynis 
cnronaria. 

!-■'  Noix.  This  may  include  the  but- 
ternut and  fome  varieties  of  the  walnut. 
Vide  \'ol.  1.  p.  264. 

1-8  Doubtlefs  the  May-apple,  Podo- 
phyllum peltatuin.  In  tlie  wilds  of 
•^"■mcoe  this  fruit  may  have  feemed  toler- 
able from  the  ahfence  of  others  more 
defirable.  Gray  fays,  "It  is  flightly 
acid,  mawkifh,  eaten  by  pigs  and  boys." 
Cf.  Florula  Bojlonietifis,  by  Jacob  Bitje- 
low.  M.D.    Borton,  1824,  pp.  215,  216. 

'-3  Les  Chefnes,  onneaux;  fir'  Jiejlres. 
For  oaks  fee  Vol  I.  p.  264.  Kims, 
plainly  the  white  elm,  Ulinus  Ameri- 


cana, so  called  in  contradiftinflion  to 
the  red  or  flippery  elm,  Ulmus  fulva. 
The  favages  fometimes  ufed  the  bark  of 
the  llippery  elm  in  the  conflruction  of 
tlieir  canoes  when  the  white  birch  could 
not  be  obtained.  Vide  Charlevoix's 
Letters.  1 763,  p.  94.  For  the  beech,  fee 
Vol.  I.  p.  264. 

130  perdrix.  Canada  Groufe,  Tetrao 
Canadenfcs,  fometimes  called  the  SjTice 
Partridge,  diiTering  from  the  pa;  bridge 
of  New  England,  which  is  the  Ruffed 
Groufe,  Bonafa  timbellus.  Tais  li'er 
fpecies  is,  however,  found  likewife  in 
Canada. 

"1  Lapins.  The  American  hare, 
Lepus  Americanus. 

"■■!  Cerifcs  pctitcs.  Reference  is  evi- 
dently here  made  to  the  wild  red  cherry, 
Prunus  Pennfylvanica,  which  is  the 
fmailefl:  of  all  the  native  fpecies.  Cf. 
Vol.  I.  p.  264. 

133  Ulcri/es.  The  wild  black  cherry, 
Prunus  ferotina. 


t'l 


Siezir  do  Chaviplain. 


121 


for  all  that  good  for  their  kind  of  cereal.  The  fniall  trad 
of  country  which  I  vifited  is  thickly  fettled  with  a  countlefs 
number  of  human  beings,  not  to  fpeak  of  the  other  ditlricls 
where  I  did  not  go,  and  which,  according  to  general  report, 
are  as  thickly  fettled  or  more  fo  than  thofe  mentioned  above. 
I  refledled  what  a  great  misfortune  it  is  that  fo  many  poor 
creatures  live  and  die  without  the  knowledge  of  God,  and 
even  without  any  religion  or  law  eflablifhed  among  them, 
whether  divine,  political,  or  civil ;  for  they  neither  worfliip, 
nor  pray  to  any  obje6^,  at  leafl  fo  far  as  1  could  perceive 
from  their  converfation.  But  they  have,  however,  fome  fort 
of  ceremony,  which  I  fliall  defcribe  in  its  proper  place,  in 
regard  to  the  fick,  or  in  order  to  afcertain  what  is  to  happen 
to  them,  and  even  in  regard  to  the  dead.  Thefe,  however, 
are  the  works  of  certain  perfons  among  them,  who  want  to 
be  confidentially  confulted  in  fuch  matters,  as  was  the  cafe 
among  the  ancient  pagans,  who  allowed  themfelvcs  to  be 
carried  away  by  the  pcrfuafions  of  magicians  and  diviners. 
Yet  the  greater  part  of  the  people  do  not  believe  at  all  in 
what  these  charlatans  do  and  fay.  They  are  very  generous 
to  one  another  in  regard  to  provifions,  but  othcrwife  very 
avaricious.  They  do  not  give  in  return.  They  are  clothed 
with  deer  and  beaver  fkins,  which  they  obtain  from  the  Al- 
gonquins  and  Nipiffings  in  exchange  for  Indian  corn  and 
meal. 

On  the  17th  of  Auguft  I  arrived  at  Cahiague,  where  I 
was  received  with  great  joy  and  gladnefs  by  all  the  favages 
of  the  country,  who  had  abandoned  their  undertaking,  in  the 
belief  that  they  would  fee  me  no  more,  and  that  the  Iroquois 
had  captured  me,  as   I  have  before  dated.     This  was  the 

»6  caufe 


l\{ 


«  ii.i 


I 


15 


il 


11 


I' 


i        ('  i 

I  i 


fl.i 


y' 


122 


Voyages  of 


caufe  of  the  great  delay  experienced  in  this  expedition,  they 
even  having  poflponcd  it  to  the  following  year.  Meanwhile 
they  received  intelligence  that  a  certain  nation  of  their 
allies,^^'  dwelling  three  good  days'  journeys  beyond  the  En- 
touhonorons,^'^^  on  whom  the  Iroquois  alfo  make  war,  defired 
to  affift  them  in  this  expedition  with  five  hundred  good  men ; 
alfo  to  form  an  alliance  and  eflablifli  a  frienddiip  with  us, 
that  we  might  all  engage  in  the  war  together;  moreover 
that  they  greatly  defired  to  fee  us  and  give  expreffion  to  the 
pleafure  they  would  have  in  making  our  acquaintance. 

I  was  glad  to  find  this  opportunity  for  gratifying  my 
defire  of  obtaining  a  knowledge  of  their  country.  It  is  fitu- 
ated  only  feven  days  from  where  die  Dutch  ^^'^  go  to  traffic 
on  the  fortieth  degree.  The  favages  there,  affifted  by  the 
Dutch,  make  war  upon  them,  take  them  prifoners,  and 
cruelly  put  them  to  death;  and  indeed  they  told  us  that  the 


"*  Tlie  Carantouanais.  I'ide  Carte 
de  la  Nottvcllc  France,  1632.,  alfo  Vol. 
I.  p.  304.  This  tribe  was  probably  fit- 
uated  on  the  upper  waters  of  the  Suf- 
quehanna,  and  confequently  fouth  of 
the  Five  Nations,  althouiih  we  faid  in- 
advertently in  \'ol.  I.  p.  1 28  that  they 
were  on  the  weft  of  tliem  General 
John  S.  Clark  thinks  tlieir  villa2;e  was 
at  Waverly,  near  the  border  of  I'ennfyl- 
vania.  In  \'ol.  I.  p.  143.  in  tlie  13th  line 
from  the  top,  we  (lion id  have  f^iid  tiie 
Carantouanais  inftead  of  Entoiilioiio- 
roiis. 

1^^  The  Entnuhonorons  were  a  part,  it 
appears,  of  the  Five  Nations.  Cham- 
plain  fays  they  unite  with  the  Iroquois 
in  making  war  .affainll  all  the  other  trilies 
except  the  Neutral  Nation.  Lake  On- 
tario is  called  Lac  dcs  flntouhonor'^n!!, 
and  Champlain  adds  that  their  country 


preceding 

is  near  the  River  St.  Lawrence,  the 
paiTage  of  which  they  forbid  to  all  other 
tribes.  Vide  Vol.  I.  pp.  303,  304.  He 
thus  appears  to  apply  the  name  Iro- 
quois to  the  ealtern  portion  of  the  Five 
Nations,  particularly  thofe  whom  he 
had  attacked  on  Lake  Cliamplain  ;  irnd 
the  Huron  name,  EtiiouhoJiorons,  to  the 
weflern  portion.  The  fulKlivifions,  by 
which  they  were  diftinjjuiflied  at  a  later 
period,  were  probably  not  then  known, 
at  leall  not  to  Champlain. 

1^''  Flainens.  The  Dutch  were  at 
this  time  on  the  Hudfon,  engaged  in 
the  fur  trade  with  the  lavages.  Vide 
Hijiory  of  tlic  State  of  New  York  by 
John  Romeyn  Brodhead,  New  York, 
I S53.  pp.  3S-65.  liijlory  of  Ncki  Xethcr- 
Jaiid  or  .AVrc  York  under  t/ie  Dutch,  by 
E.  15.  O'Callaghan,  New  York,  1846, 
pp.  67-77. 


^i     , 


¥ 


Sicur  dc  Champlain. 


123 


at 
in 


preceding  year,  while  making  war,  they  captured  tliree  of  the 
Dutch,  who  were  alTiiling  their  enemies,^'^^  as  we  do  the  i\tti- 
gouautans,  and  while  in  action  one  of  their  own  men  was 
killed.  Neverthelcfs  they  did  not  fail  to  fend  back  the  three 
Dutch  prifoners,  without  doing  them  any  harm,  fuppofmg 
that  they  belonged  to  our  party,  fmce  they  had  no  knowledge 
of  us  except  by  hearfay,  never  having  feen  a  Chriftian  ;  other- 
wife,  they  faid,  thefc  three  prifoners  would  not  have  got  off  fo 
eafily,  and  would  not  efcape  again  fliould  they  furprife  and 
take  them.  Tnis  nation  is  very  warlike,  as  thofe  of  the  nation 
of  the  Attigouautans  maintain.  They  have  only  three  vil- 
lages, which  are  in  the  midfl  of  more  than  twenty  others,  on 
which  they  make  war  without  affiflance  from  their  friends; 
for  they  are  obliged  to  pafs  thr^nigh  the  thickly  fettled  coun- 
try of  the  Chouontouarouon,^^^  or  elfc  they  would  have  to 
make  a  very  long  circuit. 

After  arriving  at  the  village,  it  was  neceffary  for  '-ne  to 
remain  until  the  men  of  war  fliould  come  from  the  furround- 
ing  villages,  fo  that  we  might  be  off  as  foon  as  poffible. 
During  this  time  there  was  a  conflant  fucceffion  of  banquets 
and  dances  on  account  of  the  joy  they  experienced  at  feeing 
me  fo  determined  to  aflifl  them  in  their  war,  jufl  as  if  they 
were  already  allured  of  vi6lory. 

The  greater  portion  of  our  men  having  affembled,  we  fet 
out  from  the  village  on  the  firfl  day  of  September,  and  paffed 
along  the  fliore  of  a  fmall  lake,^^'^  diftant  three  leagues  from 
the  village,  where  they  catch  large  quantities  of  fifli,  which 

they 

"■^  Their  enemies  were  the  Iroquois.  "9  Lake  Couchichina:,  a   fmall  (heet 

^^^  Chouontouaroiion^    another   name     of  water  into  whicli  pafs  by  a  fmall  out- 


i  Ii 


l^' 


.1  ;i 


,,.|i 


for  Entouhoronon. 


let  the  waters  of  Lake  Simcoe. 


124 


Voyages  of 


|;  /  i 


:'l 


they  prcferve  for  the  winter.  There  is  another  lake,^*"  clofely 
adjoining,  which  is  twenty-five  leagues  In  circuit,  and  flows 
into  the  fmall  one  by  a  fl;rait,  where  the  above  mentioned 
extenfive  fifliing  is  carried  on.  This  is  done  by  means  of 
a  large  number  of  flakes  which  almofl  clofe  the  flralt,  only 
fome  little  openings  being  left  where  they  place  their  nets,  in 
which  the  fiih  are  caught.  Thefe  two  lakes  difcharge  into 
the  Mcr  Douce.  We  remained  fome  time  in  this  place  to 
an'ait  the  reft  of  our  favages.  When  they  were  all  affembled, 
with  their  arms,  meal,  and  neceffaries,  it  was  decided  to 
choofe  fome  of  the  moft  refolute  men  to  compofe  a  party 
to  go  and  give  notice  of  our  departure  to  thofe  who  were  to 
affift  us  with  five  hundred  men,  that  they  might  join  us,  and 
that  we  might  appear  together  before  the  fort  of  the  enemy. 
This  decifion  having  been  made,  they  difpatched  two  canoes, 
with  twelve  of  the  moft  ftalwart  favages,  and  alfo  with  one 
of  our  interpreters,^"  who  afked  me  to  permit  him  to  make 
the  journey,  which  I  readily  accorded,  inafmuch  as  he  was 
led  to  do  fo  of  his  own  will,  and  as  he  might  in  this  way  fee 
their  country  and  get  a  knowledge  of  the  people  living 
there.  The  danger,  however,  was  not  fmall,  fince  it  was  necef- 
fary  to  pafs  through  the  midfl  of  enemies.  They  fet  out  on 
the  8th  of  the  month,  and  on  the  loth  following  there  was 
a  heavy  white  froff. 

We  continued  our  journey  towards  the  enemy,  and  went 
fome  five  or  fix  leagues  through  thefe  lakes,^*^  when  the  fav- 
ages 


( 


^*°  Lake  Simcoe.  Laverdi^re  fays 
the  Indian  name  of  this  lake  was  Ouen- 
tnnmk,  and  that  it  was  Ukewife  called 
Lac  aux  Claies. 

w*  fitienne  Briild.  Vide postea.^- 20Z. 


1*2  Dans  ces  lacs.  From  Lake  Chou- 
chiching,  coafling  along  the  northeaftern 
fliore  of  Lake  Simcoe,  they  would  make 
five  or  fix  leagues  in  reaching  a  point 
neareft  to  Sturgeon  Lake. 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


125 


ages  carried  their  canoes  about  ten  leagues  by  land.  We 
then  came  to  another  lake,"^  fix  to  feven  leagues  in  length 
and  three  broad.  From  this  flows  a  river  which  difchargcs 
into  the  great  lake  of  the  Entouhonorons.  After  traverfing 
this  lake  we  paffed  a  fall,  and  continuing  our  courfe  down 
this  river  for  about  fixty-four  leagues  ^^^  entered  the  lake 
of  the  Entouhonorons,  having  pafled,  on  our  way  by  land, 
five  falls,  fome  being  from  four  to  five  leagues  long.  We 
alfo  paffed  feveral  lakes  of  confiderable  fize,  through  which 
the  river  paffes.  The  latter  is  large  and  very  abundant  in 
good  fiih. 

It  is  certain  that  all  this  region  is  very  fine  and  pleafant. 
Along  the  banks  it  feems  as  if  the  trees  had  been  fet  out  for 
ornament  in  mofl  places,  and  that  all  thefe  trails  were  in 
former  times  inhabited  by  favages,  who  were  fubfequently 
compelled  to  abandon  them  from  fear  of  their  enemies.  Vines 
and  nut-trees  are  here  very  numerous.  Grapes  mature,  yet 
there  is  always  a  very  pungent  tartnefs  which  is  felt  remain- 
ing in  the  throat  when  one  eats  them  in  large  quantities, 
ariling  from  defc(5l  of  cultivation.  Thefe  localities  are  very 
pleafant  when  cleared  up. 

Stags  and  bears  are  here  very  abundant.  We  tried  the 
hunt  2  id  captured  a  large  number  as  we  journeyed  down. 
It  was  done  in  this  way.  They  place  four  or  five  hundred 
favages  in  line  in  the  woods,  fo  that  they  extend  to  certain 
points  on  the  river ;  then  marching  in  order  with  bow  and 

arrow 

"'  Undoubtedly  Sturgeon  Lake.  winding  and  circuitous  courfe,  not  far 

"♦  From  their  entrance  of  Sturgeon  from   Ciiamplain's   eflimate,   viz.   fi.xty- 

Lake  to  the  point  where  they  reached  four  leagues.     That  part  of  the  river 

Lake  Ontario,  at   the  eaftern  limit  of  above  Rice  Lake  is  the  Otonabee ;  that 

Amherft  Ifland,  the  diftance  i.s,  in  its  below  is  known  as  the  Trent. 


? 


W     T 


fi 


li 


lH 


; 


126 


Voyages  of 


f 


arrow  in  hand,  fliouting  and  making  a  great  noife  in  order 
to  frighten  the  bealls,  they  continue  to  advance  until  they 
come  to  the  end  of  the  point.  Tlien  all  the  animals  be- 
tween the  point  and  the  hunters  are  forced  to  throw  them- 
felves  into  the  water,  as  many  at  least  as  do  not  fall  by  the 
arrows  fliot  at  them  by  the  hunters.  JMeanwhile  the  favages, 
who  are  cxpreffly  arranged  and  ported  in  their  canoes  along 
the  fliore,  eafily  approach  the  flags  and  other  animals,  tired 
out  and  greatly  frightened  in  the  chafe,  when  they  readily 
kill  them  with  the  fpear  heads  attached  to  the  extremity  of 
a  piece  of  wood  of  the  fliape  of  a  half  pike.  This  is  the 
way  they  engage  in  the  chafe ;  and  they  do  likewife  on  the 
iflands  where  there  are  large  quantities  of  game.  I  took 
efpecial  pleafure  in  feeing  them  hunt  thus  and  in  obferv- 
ing  their  dexterity.  Many  animals  were  killed  by  the  fliot 
of  the  arquebus,  at  which  the  favages  were  greatly  fur- 
prifed.  But  it  unfortunately  happened  that,  while  a  flag 
was  being  killed,  a  favage,  who  chanced  to  come  in  range, 
was  wounded  by  a  fliot  of  an  arquebus.  Thence  a  great 
commotion  arofe  among  them,  which  however  fubfided 
when  fome  prefents  were  given  to  the  wounded.  This  is 
the  ufual  manner  of  allaying  and  fettling  quarrels,  and,  in 
cafe  of  the  death  of  the  wounded,  prefents  are  given  to 
the  relatives  of  the  one  killed. 

As  to  fmaller  game  there  is  a  large  quantity  of  it  in  its 
feafon.  There  are  alfo  many  cranes,"^  white  as  fwans,  and 
other  varieties  of  birds  like  thofe  in  France. 

We 

"^  Gnics.  The  white  crane,  Grus  Bofton,  1872,  p.  271.  Charlevoix  fays, 
Anioicanus.  Adult  plumage  pure  white.  "We  have  cranes  of  two  colors,  fome 
Coues's  Key  to  North  American  Birds,     white  and  others  gris  de  tin,'"  that  is 


'I  I  i 


Sietir  de  Chainplain. 


127 


We  proceeded  by  fhort  days'  journeys  as  far  as  the  fliore 
of  the  lake  of  the  Entouhonorons,  conflantly  hunting  as 
before  mentioned.  Here  at  its  ealtern  extremity,  which  is 
tlie  entrance  to  the  great  River  St.  Lawrence,  we  made  the 
traverfe,  in  latitude  43",^^''  where  in  the  palTage  there  arc  very 
larw  beautiful  iflands.  We  went  about  fourteen  leaofues  in 
paffmg  to  the  fouthern  fide  of  the  lake  towards  the  territory 
of  the  enemy.^^'  The  lavages  concealed  all  their  canoes  in 
the  woods  near  the  Ihore.  We  went  fome  four  leagues 
over  a  landy  ftrand,  where  I  obfervcd  a  very  pleafant  and 
beautiful  country,  interleded  by  many  little  flreams  and  two 
fmall  rivers,  which  difcharge  into  the  before-mentioned  lake, 
alfo  many  ponds  and  meadows,  where  there  was  an  endlefs 
amount  of  game,  many  vines,  fine  woods,  and  a  large  number 
of  cheflnut  trees,  whofe  fruit  was  ftill  in  the  burr.  The 
cheftnuts  are  fmall,  but  of  a  good  flavor.  The  country  is 
covered  with  forefts,  which  over  its  greater  portion  have  not 
been  cleared  up.  All  the  canoes  being  thus  hidden,  we  left 
the  border  of  the  lake,^*^  which  is  fome  eighty  leagues  long 

and 


a  pi.rple  or  lilac  color.  Tliis  latter 
fpeciis  is  the  l)ro\vn  crane,  Grus  Caita- 
(ictijis.  "  Flumage  plumbeous  gray." 
Cones.  Vide  Charlevoix's  Letters,  Lon- 
don. 1763,  p.  Sb>. 

""  The  latitude  of  the  ea.Tern  end  of 
Amherft  Ifland  is  about  44°  1 1'. 

1"  This  traverfe,  it  may  be  prefumed, 
was  made  by  coafting  along  the  fliore, 
as  was  the  cuflom  of  tlie  favages  with 
their  ligh*:  canoes. 

^^^  It  appears  that,  after  making  by 
eftimate  about  fourteen  leagues  in  their 
bark  canoes,  and  four  by  land  along  the 
(hore,  they  ftruck  inland.  Guided  merely 
by  the  diltances  given  in  the  text,  it  is 


not  pofTible  to  determine  with  exaftnefs 
at  what  point  they  left  the  lake.  Tiiis 
arifes  from  the  fact  that  we  are  not  fure 
at  what  point  the  meafurement  began, 
and  the  ellimated  diflances  are  given, 
moreover,  with  very  liberal  margins. 
But  the  eighteen  leagues  in  all  would 
take  them  not  very  far  from  Little 
Salmon  River,  whether  the  edimate 
were  made  from  the  eaflern  end  of 
Amherit  Ifland  or  Simcoe  Ifland,  or  any 
place  in  that  immediate  neighborhood. 
The  natural  features  of  the  country,  for 
four  leagues  along  tlie  coaft  north  of 
Little  Salmon  River,  anfwer  well  to  the 
defcription  given  in  the  text.   The  cheft- 

nut 


r"i( 


If  1 


t  f 

.1 


:,  IS 

1      ¥ 


I' 


11 


II 


.  ii 

■    I 


^J''' 


i  9 


128 


Voyages  of 


and  twenty-five  wide.^'^  The  greater  portion  of  its  fliorcs  is 
inhabited  by  favages.  We  continued  our  courfe  by  land  for 
about  twenty-five  or  thirty  leagues.  In  the  fj^ace  of  four  days 
we  crolTed  many  brooks,  and  a  river  which  proceeds  from  a 
lake  that  difcharges  into  that  of  the  Entouhonorons.^'^  This 
lake  is  twenty-five  or  thirty  leagues  in  circuit,  contains  fome 
fine  iflands,  and  is  the  place  where  our  enemies,  the  Iroquois, 
catch  their  fiih,  in  which  it  abounds. 

On  the  9th  of  the  month  of  06lober  our  favages  going 
out  to  reconnoitre  met  eleven  favages,  whom  they  took 
prifoners.  They  confifled  of  four  women,  three  boys,  one 
girl,  and  three  men,  who  were  going  fifliing  and  were  diflant 
fome  four  leagues  from  the  fort  of  the  enemy.  Now  it  is  to 
be  noted  that  one  of  the  chiefs,  on  feeing  the  prifoners,  cut 
off  the  finger  of  one  of  thefe  poor  women  as  a  beginning  of 
their  ufual  punifliment;  upon  which  I  interpofed  and  repri- 
manded the  chief,  I  roquet,  reprefenting  to  him  that  it  was 
not  the  a6l  of  a  warrior,  as  he  declared  himself  to  be,  to  con- 
du6t  himself  with  cruelty  towards  women,  who  have  no 
defence  but  their  tears,  and  that  one  fhould  treat  them  with 
humanity  on  account  of  their  helpleffnefs  and  weaknefs;  and 
I  told  him  that  on  the  contrary  this  a6l  would  be  deemed  to 
proceed  from  a  bafe  and  brutal  courage,  and  that  if  he  com- 
mitted any  more  of  thefe  cruelties  he  would  not  give  me 

heart 


nut  ard  wild  grape  are  ftill  found  there. 
Vide  MS.  Letters  of  the  Rev.  James 
Cro/s,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  and  oiS-D.  Smith, 
E/(/.,  of  Mexico,  New  York. 

"<*  Lake  Ontario,  or  Lake  of  the  En- 
touhonorons,  is  about  a  hundred  and 
eij;hty  miles  long,  and  about  fifty-five 
miles  in  its  extreme  width. 


^5°  The  river  here  crofled  was  plainly 
Oneida  River,  flowing  from  Oneida 
Lake  into  Lake  Ontario.  The  lake  is 
identified  by  the  iflands  in  it.  Oneida 
Lake  is  the  only  one  in  this  region  which 
contains  any  iflands  whatever,  and  con- 
fequently  the  river  flowing  from  it  muft 
be  that  now  known  as  Oneida  River. 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


129 


heart  to  affiH:  them  or  favor  them  in  the  war.  To  which 
the  only  anfwcr  he  gave  me  was  that  their  enemies  treated 
them  in  the  lame  manner,  but  that,  fmce  this  was  dif- 
pleafing  to  me,  he  would  not  do  anything  more  to  the 
women,  although  he  would  to  the  men. 

The  next  day,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  arrived 
before  the  fort^"^  of  their  enemies,  where  the  favages  made 
fome  Ikirmidies  with  each  other,  although  our  defign  was 
not  to  difclofe  ourfelves  until  the  next  day,  which  however 
the  impatience  of  our  lavages  would  not  permit,  both  on 
account  of  their  defirc  to  lee  fire  opened  upon  their  enemies, 
and  alio  that  they  might  refcue  fome  of  their  own  men  who 
had  become  too  clofely  engaged,  and  were  hotly  prcffed. 
Then  I  approached  the  enemy,  and  although  I  had  only  a 
few  men,  yet  we  fliowed  them  what  they  had  never  feen 
nor  heard  before ;  for,  as  foon  as  they  faw  us  and  heard  the 
arcjuebus  Ihots  and  the  balls  whizzing  in  their  ears,  they 
withdrew  fpeedily  to  their  fort,  carrying  the  dead  and 
wounded  in  this  charge.  We  alfo  withdrew  to  our  main 
body,  with  five  or  fix  wounded,  one  of  whom  died. 

This  done,  we  withdrew  to  the  diftance  of  cannon  range, 
out  of  fight  of  the  enemy,  but  contrary  to  my  ad\ice  and  to 
what  they  had  prom.ifed  me.  This  moved  me  to  addrefs 
them  very  rough  and  angry  words  in  order  to  incite  them  to 
do  their  duty,  forefeeing  that  if  everything  fliould  go  accord- 
ing to  their  whim  and  the  guidance  of  their  council,  their 
utter  ruin  would  be  the  refult.  Neverthelcfs  I  did  not  fail 
to  fend  to  them  and  propofe  means  which  they  fliould 
ufe  in  order  to  get  poffeffion  of  thur  enemies. 

Thefe 

"I  por  the  probable  fite  of  this  fort,  fee  Vol.  I.  p.  130,  note  83. 

17 


i 


'1 


, 


■■;   . 


m 


130 


Voyages  of 


Thefo  were,  to  make  with  certain  kinds  of  wood  a  cava- 
lier, which  (liouid  be  higher  than  the  pahlades.  Upon  this 
were  to  be  placed  four  or  five  of  our  arquebufiers,  who 
fliould  keep  up  a  conllant  fire  over  their  palifades  and 
galleries,  which  were  well  provided  with  Hones,  and  by  this 
means  diflodge  the  enemy  who  might  attack  us  from  their 
galleries.  Meanwhile  orders  were  to  be  given  to  procure 
boards  for  making  a  Ibrt  of  mantelet  to  i)rute(5l  our  men 
from  the  arrows  and  ftones  of  which  the  fawages  generally 
make  ufe.  Thefc  inltruments,  namely  the  cavalier  and 
mantelets,  were  capable  of  being  carried  by  a  large  number 
of  men.  One  mantelet  was  fo  conftrucled  that  the  water 
could  not  extinguilh  the  fire,  which  might  be  fet  to  the 
fort,  under  cover  of  the  arquebufiers  who  wr  doing  their 
duty  on  the  cavalier.  In  this  manner,  I  told  .  ..i,  we  might 
be  able  to  defend  ourfelves  fo  that  the  enemy  could  not 
approach  to  extinguifh  the  fire  which  we  fliould  fet  to  their 
ramparts. 

This  propofition  they  thought  good  and  very  feafonable, 
and  immediately  proceeded  to  carry  it  out  as  I  dire61:ed.  In 
fa6l  the  next  day  they  fet  to  work,  fome  to  cut  wood,  otliers 
to  gather  it,  for  building  and  equipping  the  cavalier  and 
mantelets.  The  work  was  promptly  executed  and  in  lefs 
than  four  hours,  although  the  amount  of  wood  they  had 
colle61:ed  for  burning  againfl  the  ramparts,  in  order  to  fet 
fire  to  them,  was  very  fmall.  Their  expectation  was  that 
the  five  hundred  men  who  had  promifed  to  come  would  do 
fo  on  this  day,  but  doubt  was  felt  about  them,  since  they  had 
not  appeared  at  the  rendezvous,  as  they  had  been  charged 
to  do,  and  as  they  had  promifed.    This  greatly  troubled  our 

favages ; 


Hi 


.7 


^1 


i'ftij 


! 


i 


I 


!''!» 


I  \ 


!■ 


I  i 


<  1 

1 

t  1 

> 

l\ 

iii 

1 

r 

I. 

'!i' 
^^^1 

1 

L 

Siettr  de  Charnplain, 


131 


favages;  but  feeing  that  they  were  fufficiently  numerous  to 
take  the  fort  without  other  affiflance,  and  tliinking  for  my 
part  that  delay,  if  not  in  all  things  at  leafl  in  many,  is  preju- 
dicial, I  urged  them  to  attack  it,  reprefenting  to  them  that 
the  enemy,  having  become  aware  of  their  force  and  our  arms, 
which  pierced  whatever  was  proof  againff  arrows,  had  begun 
to  barricade  themfelves  and  cover  themfclves  with  ftrong 
pieces  of  wood,  with  which   they  were  well  provided  and 
their  village  filled.     I  told  them  that  the  lead  delay  was  the 
beft,  fince  the  enemy  had  already  ftrengthened    themfelves 
very  much ;  for  their  village  was  enclofed  by  four  good  pali- 
fades,  which  were  made  of  great  pieces  of  wood,  interlaced 
with  each  other,  with  an  opening  of  not  more  than  half  a 
foot  between  two,  and  which  were  thirty  feet  high,  with  gal- 
leries after  the  manner  of  a  parapet,  which  they  had  furnifhed 
with   double   pieces  of  wood  that  were   proof  againft   our 
arquebus  fliots.      Moreover  it  was  near  a  pond  where  the 
water  was  abundant,  and  was  well    fupplied  with  gutters, 
placed  between  each  pair  of  palifades,  to  throw  out  water, 
which  they  had  alfo  under  cover  infide,  in  order  to  extin- 
guifli  fire.     Now  this  is  the  charader  of  their  fortifications 
and  defences,  which  are  much  fironger  than  the  villages  of 
the  Attigouautan  and  others. 

We  approached  to  attack  the  village,  our  cavalier  being 
carried  by  two  hundred  of  the  ftrongeft  men,  who  put  it 
down  before  the  village  at  a  pike's  length  off.  I  ordered 
three  arquebufiers  to  mount  upon  it,  who  were  well  pro- 
tedled  from  the  arrows  and  ftones  that  could  be  fhot  or 
hurled  at  them.  Meanwhile  the  enemy  did  not  fail  to  fend 
a  large  number  of  arrows  which  did  not  mifs,  and  a  great 

many 


■  f 

i 


n 


132 


Voyages  of 


u. 


t!  A 


':  n 


many  ftones,  which  they  hurled  from  their  palifades.  Never- 
thelefs  a  hot  fire  of  arqucbufcs  forced  them  to  diflodge  and 
abandon  their  galleries,  in  confequence  of  the  cavalier  which 
uncovered  them,  they  not  venturing  to  fliow  themfelves,  but 
fiq-htiuG:  under  Ihelter.  Now  when  the  cavalier  was  carried 
forward,  inflead  of  bringing  up  the  mantelets  according  to 
order,  including  that  one  under  cover  of  which  we  were 
to  fet  the  fire,  they  abandoned  them  and  began  to  scream  at 
their  enemies,  fliooting  arrows  into  the  fort,  which  in  my 
opinion  did  little  harm  to  the  enemy. 

But  we  mufl  excufe  them,  for  they  are  not  warriors,  and 
befides  will  have  no  difcipline  nor  corre(51;ion,  and  will  do  only 
what  they  pleafe.  Accordingly  one  of  them  fet  fire  incon- 
fiderately  to  the  wood  placed  againft  the  fort  of  the  enemy, 
quite  the  wrong  way  and  in  the  face  of  the  wind,  fo  that  it 
produced  no  e£fe6l. 

This  fire  being  out,  the  greater  part  of  the  favages  began 
to  carry  wood  againft  the  palifades,  but  in  fo  fmall  quantity 
that  the  fire  could  have  no  great  e£fe6l.  There  alfo  arofe 
fuch  diforder  amonsf  them  that  one  could  not  underftand 
another,  which  greatly  troubled  me.  In  vain  did  I  fliout  in 
their  ears  and  remonflrate  to  my  utmofl  with  them  as  to  the 
danger  to  which  they  expofed  themfelves  by  their  bad 
behavior,  but  on  account  of  the  great  noife  they  made  they 
heard  nothing.  Seeing  that  fliouting  would  only  burft  my 
head,  and  that  my  remonflrances  were  ufelefs  for  putting  a 
flop  to  the  diforder,  I  did  nothing  more,  but  determined 
together  with  my  men  to  do  what  we  could,  and  fire  upon 
fuch  as  we  could  fee. 

Meanwhile  the  enemy  profited  by  our   diforder   to  get 

water 


E 


Szetcr  de  Champlain, 


133 


water  and  pour  it  fo  abundantly  that  you  would  have  faid 
brooks  were  flowing  through  their  fpouts,  the  refult  of 
which  was  that  the  fire  was  inflantly  extinguiflied,  while 
they  did  not  ceafe  fliooting  their  arrows,  which  fell  upon  us 
like  hail.  But  the  men  on  the  cavalier  killed  and  maimed 
many.  We  were  engaged  in  this  combat  about  three 
hours,  in  which  two  of  our  chiefs  and  leading  warriors  were 
wounded,  namely,  one  called  Ochatcgnaiti  and  another  Oram, 
together  with  fome  fifteen  common  warriors.  The  others, 
feeing  their  men  and  fome  of  the  chiefs  wounded,  now 
began  to  talk  of  a  retreat  without  farther  fighting,  in  expeda- 
tion  of  the  five  hundred  men,^^^  whofe  arrival  could  not  be 
much  delayed.     Thus  they  retreated,  a  diforderly  rabble. 

Moreover  the  chiefs  have  in  fa6l  no  abfolute  control  over 
their  men,  who  are  governed  by  their  own  will  and  follow 
their  own  fancy,  which  is  the  caufe  of  their  diforder  and  the 
ruin  of  all  their  undertakings ;  for,  having  determined  upon 
anything  with  their  leaders,  it  needs  only  the  whim  of  a 
villain,  or  nothing  at  all,  to  lead  them  to  break  it  off  and 
form  a  new  plan.  Thus  there  is  no  concert  of  acftion  among 
them,  as  can  be  feen  by  this  expedition. 

Now  we  withdrew  into  our  fort,  I  having  received  two 
arrow  wounds,  one  in  the  leg,  the  other  in  the  knee,  which 
caufed  me  great  inconvenience,  afide  from  the  fevere  pain. 
When  they  were  all  affembled,  I  addreffed  them  fome  words 
of  remonflrance  on  the  diforder  that  had  occurred.  But 
all  I  faid  availed  nothing,  and  had  no  effe6t  upon  them. 
They  replied  that  many  of  their  men  had  been  wounded  like 

myfelf, 

"'  They  were  of  the  tribe  called  Carantouanais.     Vide  antea,  note  134. 


^^ 


k 


?! 


1 


If  ^'' 

n 


134 


Voyages  of 


H),, 


,!i' 


myfelf,  fo  that  it  would  cauie  the  others  much  trouble  and 
inconvenience  to  carry  them  as  they  retreated,  and  that  it 
was  not  poffible  to  return  again  againfl:  their  enemies,  as 
I  told  them  it  was  their  duty  to  do.  They  agreed,  how- 
ever, to  wait  four  days  longer  for  the  five  hundred  men  who 
were  to  come ;  and,  if  they  came,  to  make  a  fecond  effort 
againfl:  their  enemies,  and  execute  better  what  I  might  tell 
them  than  they  had  done  in  the  paft.  With  this  I  had  to 
content  myfelf,  to  my  great  regret. 

Herewith  is  indicated  the  manner  in  which  they  fortify 
their  towns,  from  which  reprefentation  it  may  be  inferred 
that  thofe  of  their  friends  and  enemies  are  fortified  in  like 
manner. 

The  next  day  there  was  a  violent  wind,  which  lafled  two 
days,  and  was  very  favorable  for  fetting  fire  anew  to  the  fort 
of  the  enemy  which,  although  I  urged  them  flrongly,  they  were 
unwilling  to  do,  as  if  they  were  afraid  of  getting  the  worfl  of 
it,  and  befides  they  pleaded  their  wounded  as  an  excufe. 

We  remained  in  camp  until  the  i6th  of  the  month,^''' 
during  which  time  there  were  fome  fkirmiflies  between  the 
enemy  and  our  men,  who  were  very  often  furrounded  by  the 
former,  rather  through  their  imprudence  than  from  lack  of 
courage ;  for  I  affure  you  that  every  time  we  went  to  the 
charge  it  was  neceffary  for  us  to  go  and  difengage  them 
from  the  crowd,  fmce  they  could  only  retreat  under  cover  of 
our  arquebufiers,  whom  the  enemy  greatly  dreaded  and 
feared ;  for  as  foon  as  they  perceived  any  one  of  the  arque- 
bufiers they  withdrew  fpeedily,  faying  in  a  perfuafive  manner 

that 

"'  This  was  in  the  month  of  Odlober. 


mX 


»-'-  *^f%r\2^AiNgbLlfl&tI* 


4 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


135 


¥■ 


that  \ve  fliould  not  interfere  in  their  combats,  and  that  their 
enemies  had  very  little  courage  to  require  us  to  affill:  them, 
with  many  othjr  words  of  like  tenor,  in  order  to  prevail 
upon  us. 

I  have  reprefented  by  figure  E  the  manner  in  which  they 
arm  thcmfelves  in  going  to  war. 

After  fome  days,  feeing  that  the  five  hundred  men  d'd  not 
come,  they  determined  to  depart,  and  enter  upon  their  retreat 
as  foon  as  poffible.  They  proceeded  to  make  a  kind  of  bafket 
for  carrying  the  wounded,  who  are  put  into  it  crowded  up  in 
a  heap,  being  bound  and  pinioned  in  fuch  a  manner  that  it 
is  as  impoffible  for  them  to  move  as  for  an  infant  in  its 
fwaddling  clothes;  but  this  is  not  without  caufing  the 
wounded  much  extreme  pain.  This  I  can  fay  with  truth 
from  my  own  experience,  having  been  carried  fome  days, 
fmce  I  could  not  fland  up,  particularly  on  account  of  an 
arrow-wound  which  I  had  receive'  in  the  knee.  I  never 
found  myfelf  in  fuch  a  gehenna  as  during  this  time,  for 
the  pain  which  I  fuffered  in  confequence  of  the  wound  in 
my  knee  w'as  nothing  in  comparifon  with  that  which  1  en- 
dured while  I  was  carried  bound  and  pinioned  on  the  back 
of  one  of  our  favages  ;  fo  that  I  loft  my  patience,  and  as  foon 
as  I  could  fuftain  myfelf,  got  out  of  this  prifon,  or  rather 
gehenna. 

The  enemy  followed  us  about  half  a  league,  though  at  a  dif- 
tancc,  with  the  view  of  trying  to  take  fome  of  thofe  compofmg 
the  rear  guard  ;  but  their  efforts  were  vain,  and  they  retired. 

Now  the  only  good  point  that  I  have  feen  in  their  mode 
of  warfare  is  that  they  make  their  retreat  very  fecurely, 
placing  all  the  wounded  and  aged  in  their  centre,  being 

well 


i 


1  ? 


■ 

: 


136 


Voyages  of 


well  armed  on  the  wings  and  in  the  rear,  and  continuing 
this  order  without  interruption  until  the}^  reach  a  place  of 
fecurity. 

Their  retreat  was  very  long,  being  from  twenty-nve  to 
thirty  leagues,  which  caufed  the  wounded  much  fatigue,  as 
also  thofe  who  carried  them,  although  the  latter  relieved 
each  other  from  time  to  time. 

On  the  iSth  day  of  the  month  there  fell  much  fnow  and 
hail,  accompanied  by  a  ftrong  wind,  which  greatly  incom- 
moded us.  Neverthelefs  we  fucceeded  in  arriving  at  the 
fhore  of  the  lake  of  the  Entouhonorons,  at  the  place  where 
our  canoes  were  concealed,  which  we  found  all  inta6t,  for  we 
had  been  afraid  left  the  enemy  might  have  broken  them  up. 

When  they  were  all  affembled,  and  I  faw  that  they  were 
ready  to  depart  to  their  village,  I  begged  them  to  take  me  to 
our  fettlement,  which,  though  unwilling  at  first,  they  finally 
concluded  to  do,  and  fought  four  men  to  condu6l  me. 
Four  men  were  found,  who  offered  themfelves  of  their  own 
accord  ;  for,  as  I  have  before  faid,  the  chiefs  have  no  control 
over  their  men,  in  confequence  of  which  they  are  often 
unable  to  do  as  they  would  like.  Now  the  men  having 
been  found,  it  was  neceffary  alfo  to  find  a  canoe,  which  was 
not  to  be  had,  each  one  needing  his  own,  and  there  being  no 
more  than  they  required.  This  was  far  from  being  pleafant 
to  me,  but,  on  the  contrary  greatly  annoyed  me,  fince  it  led 
me  to  fufpedt  fome  evil  purpofe,  inafmuch  as  they  had 
promifed  to  condu6l  me  to  our  fettlement  after  their  war. 
Moreover  I  was  poorly  prepared  for  fpending  the  winter 
with  them,  or  elfe  fliould  not  have  been  concerned  about 
the   matter.      But  not  being  able  to   do  anything,   I  was 

obliged 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


137 


obliged  to  refipjn  myfclf  in  patience.  Now  after  fome 
clays  I  perceived  that  'heir  i)lan  was  to  keep  me  a:id  my 
companions,  not  only  as  a  fecurity  for  themfelves,  for 
they  feared  their  enemies,  but  alfo  that  I  might  lillen  to 
what  took  place  in  their  councils  and  alTemblies,  and  deter- 
mine what  they  fliould  do  in  the  future  againll  their  enemies 
for  their  fecurity  and  prefervation. 

The  next  day,  the  2Sth  of  the  month,  they  began 
to  make  preparations;  fome  to  go  deer-hunting,  others  to 
hunt  bears  and  beavers,  others  to  go  fifliing,  others  to  return 
to  their  villages.  An  abode  and  lodging  were  fuiuifhed  me 
by  one  of  the  principal  chiefs,  called  U Ai'onial,  with  whom  I 
already  had  fome  acquaintance.  Having  offered  me  his  cabin, 
provifions,  and  accommodations,  he  fet  out  alfo  for  the  deer- 
hunt,  which  is  efteemed  by  them  the  greatefl  and  moll  noble 
one.  After  croffing,  from  the  illand,''''  the  end  of  the  lake, 
we  entered  a  river  ^^'^'  fome  twelve  leagues  in  extent.  They 
then  carried  their  canoes  by  land  fome  half  a  league,  when 
we  entered  a  lake  ^^^  which  was  fome  ten  or  twelve  leagues 
in  circuit,  where  there  was  a  large  amount  of  game,  as 
fwans,^^'  white  cranes,'^®  outardcs^^'^  ducks,  teal,  fong-thruHi,^*"' 

larks, 


^^*  Et  aprls  auoir  trmiei-fc  le  hout 
du  lac  de  laditte  ijle.  From  this  form  of 
expreffion  this  illand  would  fecm  to  liave 
lieen  vifited  before.  But  no  particular 
illand  is  mentioned  on  their  former 
traverfe  of  the  lake.  It  is  impoffilile  to 
fix  with  certainty  upon  the  illand  referred 
to.  It  may  have  been  Simcoe  or  Wolf 
Iflnnd,  or  fome  other. 

155  Probably  Cataraqui  Creek.  Vide 
Vol.  I.  p.  136. 

150  Perhaps  Loughborough  Lake,  or 
the  fyftem  of  lakes  of  which  this  is  a  part. 


18 


157  Cjm^^^.Cjfwans.  Probably  the  Trum- 
peter .Swan.  Cvgnits  hucci)iator.  They 
were  efpecially  found  in  .Sai^ard's  time 
about  Lake  Nipiffincr.  "Mais  pour  ties 
Cignes,  qu'ils  appcllcnt  Ho>ltev.  il  y 
en  a  principalement  vers  les  ICpiccri- 
nys."  Vide  Le  Grivni  I'ovau'  a",'  Pay; 
dcs  Ilnroiis  par  Fr.  Gabriel  Sagard, 
Paris,  1632.  p.  303. 

15S  Grnes  blanclies.    J  'ide  anfca,  n.  145. 

^5"  HoiiJIardcs.      ride  on /ea.  noiii  T,2, 

^•^  ,U<7!n/is.  Song-Thrufli.  Doubtlefs 
the  Robin,  Tardus  inigratorius. 


138 


Voyages  of 


larks/"*  fnipe/"^  geefe/^^  and  feveral  other  kinds  of  fowl  too 
numerous  to  mention.  Of  thefe  I  killed  a  great  number, 
which  flood  us  in  good  (lead  while  waiting  for  the  capture  of 
a  deer.  From  there  we  proceeded  to  a  certain  place  fome  ten 
leagues  diflant,  where  our  favages  thought  there  were  deer 
in  abundance.  Affembled  there  were  fome  twenty-five 
favages,  who  fet  to  building  two  or  three  cabins  out  of 
pieces  of  wood  fitted  to  each  other,  the  chinks  of  which  they 
flopped  up  by  means  of  mofs  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  the 
air,  covering  them  with  the  bark  of  trees. 

When  they  had  done  this  they  went  into  the  woods  to  a 
fmall  lorefl  of  firs,  where  they  made  an  enclofure  in  the  form  of 
a  triangle,  clofcd  up  on  two  fides  and  open  on  one.  This  en- 
clofure was  made  of  great  flakes  of  wood  clofely  preffed  to- 
gether, from  eight  to  nine  feet  high,  each  of  the  fides  being 
fifteen  hundred  paces  long.  At  the  extremity  of  this  triangle 
there  was  a  little  enclofure,  conftantly  diminifliing  in  fize,  cov- 
ered in  part  with  boughs  and  with  only  an  opening  of  five  feet, 
about  the  width  of  a  medium-fized  door,  into  which  the  deer 
were  to  enter.  They  were  fo  expeditious  in  their  w^ork,  that 
in  lefs  than  ten  days  they  had  their  enclofure  in  readinefs. 
Meanwhile  other  favages  had  gone  fifliing,  catching  trout 
and  pike  of  prodigious  fize,  and  enough  to  meet  all  our 
wants. 

All  preparations  being  made,  they  fet  out  half  an  hour 
before  day  to  go  into  the  wood,  fome  half  a  league  from 

the 


^"  Alloiiettcs,  larks.  Probably  the 
Brown  Lark,  Authua  h(dovicia)ius. 
Found  everywhere  in  North  America. 

^•'^  Biccajjlncs.  Probalily  the  Ameri- 
can Snipe,  Callinago  Wilfonii. 


163  Qygs^  geefe.  The  common  Wild 
Goofe,  Braiifa  Canadcnfis,  or  it  may 
include  all  the  fpecies  taken  collcflively. 
For  the  feveral  fpecies  found  in  Canada, 
vide  antea,  note  32. 


ill 


ii 
II 


1  i 


ll 


II.- 


i  1 


h     *■ 


Stair  de  Champlain. 


139 


the  before-mentioned  enclofurc,  fcparated  from  each  other 
fonie  eighty  paces.  Each  iiad  two  Hides,  which  they  flruek 
together,  and  they  marched  in  this  order  at  a  How  pace 
until  they  arrived  at  their  enclolnre.  The  deer  hearing  this 
noife  flee  before  them  until  they  reach  the  enclolure,  into 
which  the  favages  force  them  to  go.  Then  they  gradually 
unite  on  approaching  the  bay  and  opening  of  their  tri- 
angle, the  deer  (kirting  the  fides  until  they  reach  the  end, 
to  which  the  faxages  holly  purfuc  them,  with  bow  and  arrow 
in  hand  ready  to  let  fly.  On  reaching  the  end  of  the  tri- 
angle they  begin  to  fliout  and  imitate  wolves,"^'  which  arc 
numerous,  and  which  devour  the  deer.  The  deer,  hearing 
this  frightful  noife,  are  conflrained  to  enter  the  retreat  by  the 
little  opening,  whither  they  are  very  holly  purfued  by  arrow 
fliots.  Having  entered  this  retreat,  which  is  fo  well  clofed 
and  faflened  that  they  can  by  no  poffibility  get  out,  they  are 
eafily  raptured.  I  affure  you  that  there  is  a  fingular  pleaf- 
ure  in  this  chafe,  which  took  place  every  two  days,  and  was 
fo  fuccefsful  that,  in  the  thirty-eight  days^"^  during  which  we 
were  there,  they  captured  one  hundred  and  twenty  deer, 
which  they  make  good  ufe  of,  referving  the  fat  for  winter, 
which  they  ufe  as  we  do  butter,  and  taking  away  to  their 
homes  fome  of  the  flefli  for  their  feflivities. 

They  have  other  contrivances  for  capturing  the  deer; 
as  fnares,  with  which  they  kill  many.  You  fee  depicted 
oppofile  the  manner  of  their  chafe,  enclolure,  and   fnare. 

Out 

^®*  Les  hups.    The  American  Wolf,  their  preparntions  on  tlie  28th  of  Oflober 

Lupus  occideiitalis.  on  the  ihorus  of  Lake  Ontario  till  they 

'•'''  The  thirty-eitjht  days  during  which  began  tlieir  homeward  journey  on  the 

they  were  there  would  include  the  whole  4th  of  December.     Vide  antea,  ^.  \yj  \ 

period  from  the  time  they  began  to  make  pojka,  p.  143. 


I 


■w 


I 


I    I   I  i 


'.'     <i 


r    ! 


140 


Voyages  of 


Out  of  the  fkins  they  make  garments.  Thus  you  lee  how 
we  fpcnt  the  time  while  waiting  for  the  froft,  tiiat  we  might 
return  the  more  eafiiy,  fince  the  country  is  very  marlhy. 

When  they  firll  went  out  hunting,  I  lofl  my  way  in  the 
woods,  having  followed  a  certain  bird  that  Icemed  to  me 
peculiar.  It  had  a  beak  like  that  of  a  parrot,  and  was  of  the 
fize  of  a  hen.  It  was  entirely  yellow,  except  the  head  which 
was  red,  and  the  wings  which  were  blue,  and  it  flew  by  in- 
tervals like  a  partridge.  The  defire  to  kill  it  led  me  to  pur- 
fue  it  from  tree  to  tree  for  a  very  long  time,  until  it  flew 
away  in  good  earneft.  Thus  lofing  all  hope,  I  dcfn'ed  to 
retrace  my  fteps,  but  found  none  of  our  hunters,  who  had 
been  conflantly  getting  ahead,  and  had  reached  the  enclofure. 
While  trying  to  overtake  them,  and  going,  as  it  feemed  to 
me,  ftraight  to  where  the  enclofure  was,  I  found  myfelf  lofl 
in  the  woods,  going  now  on  this  fide  now  on  that,  without 
being  able  to  recognize  my  pofition.  The  night  coming  on, 
I  was  obliged  to  fpend  it  at  the  foot  of  a  great  tree,  and  in 
the  morninc:  fet  out  rid  walked  until  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  when  I  came  to  a  little  pond  of  flill  water.  Here 
I  noticed  fomc  game,  which  I  purfued,  killing  three  or  four 
birds,  which  were  very  acceptable,  fmce  I  had  had  nothing 
to  eat.  Unfortunately  for  me  there  had  been  no  funlhine 
for  three  days,  nothing  but  rain  and  cloudy  weather,  which 
increafcd  my  trouble.  Tired  and  exhaufted  I  prepared  to 
refl  myfelf  and  cook  the  birds  in  order  to  alleviate  the  hun- 
ger which  I  began  painfully  to  feel,  and  which  by  God's 
favor  was  appeafed. 

When  I  had  made  my  repafl  I  began  to  confider  what 
I  fhould   do,  and   to   pray   God  to  give  me  the  will   and 

courage 


^^tsssmmm 


dUfi£iClii_ 


Sleiir  dc  Chaniplain. 


141 


courage  to  fudain  patiently  my  misfortune  if  I  flioukl  be 
oblicrcd  to  remain  aljandonecl  in  this  forell  witiiout  counfcl 
or  conlblation  except  the  I)i\ine  goodnefs  and  mercy, 
and  at  tlie  lame  time  to  exert  mylelf  to  return  to  our 
lumters.  Thus  committing  all  to  His  mercy  I  gathered  up 
renewed  courage  going  here  and  there  all  day,  without  per- 
ceiving any  foot-print  or  path,  except  thofe  of  wild  beafls,  of 
which  I  generally  faw  a  good  number.  I  was  obliged  to 
pafs  here  this  night  alio.  Unfortunately  I  had  forgotten  to 
bring  with  mc  a  fmall  compals  which  would  have  put  mc  on 
the  right  road,  or  nearly  fo.  At  the  dawn  of  day,  after  a 
brief  repafl,  I  fet  out  in  order  to  find,  if  poffible,  fome  brook 
and  follow  it,  thinking  that  it  mufl;  of  neceffity  flow  into  the 
river  on  the  border  of  which  our  hunters  were  encamped. 
Having  relblved  upon  this  plan,  I  carried  it  out  fo  well  that 
at  noon  I  found  myfelf  on  the  border  of  a  little  lake,  about  a 
league  and  a  half  in  extent,  where  I  killed  fome  game,  which 
was  very  timely  for  my  wants ;  I  had  likewife  remaining 
fome  eight  or  ten  charges  of  powder,  which  was  a  great 
fatisfadlion. 

I  proceeded  along  the  border  of  this  lake  to  fee  where 
it  difcharged,  and  found  a  large  brook,  which  I  followed 
until  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  I  heard  a  great  noife, 
but  on  carefully  liftcning  failed  to  perceive  clearly  what  it 
was.  On  hearing  the  noife,  however,  more  dillinclly,  I 
concluded  that  it  was  a  fall  of  water  in  the  river  which  I  was 
fearching  for.  I  proceeded  nearer,  and  faw  an  opening, 
approaching  which  I  found  myfelf  in  a  great  and  far-reaching 
meadow,  where  there  w^as  a  large  number  of  wild  bcafls,  and 
looking  to  my  right  I  perceived  the  river,  broad  and  long. 

I 


! 


M>l 


14: 


Voyages  of 


I  looked  to  fee  if  I  could  not  recognize  the  place,  and  walk- 
ing along  on  the  meadow  I  noticed  a  little  path  where  the 
favages  carried  their  canoes.  Finally,  after  careful  obferva- 
tion,  I  recognized  it  as  the  fame  river,  and  that  I  had  gone 
that  way  before. 

I  paffcd  the  night  in  better  fpirits  than  the  previous 
ones,  fupping  on  the  little  I  had.  In  the  morning  I  re- 
examined the  place  where  I  was,  and  concluded  from  cer- 
tain mountains  on  the  border  of  the  river  that  I  had  not 
been  deceived,  and  that  our  hunters  mufl  be  lower  down  by 
four  or  five  good  leagues.  This  diftance  I  walked  at  my 
leifure  along  the  border  of  the  river,  until  I  perceived  the 
fmoke  of  our  hunters,  where  I  arrived  to  the  great  pleafure 
not  only  of  myfelf  but  of  them,  who  were  flill  fearching  for 
me,  but  had  about  given  up  all  hopes  of  feeing  me  again. 
They  begged  me  not  to  fhray  off  from  them  any  more,  or 
never  to  forget  to  carry  with  me  my  compafs,  and  they  added : 
If  you  had  not  come,  and  we  had  not  fucceeded  in  finding 
you,  we  fliould  never  have  gone  again  to  the  French,  for  fear 
of  their  accufing  us  of  having  killed  you.  After  this  he^'^^ 
was  very  careful  of  me  when  I  went  hunting,  always  giving 
me  a  favage  as  companion,  who  knew  how  to  find  again  the 
place  from  wh'ch  he  flarted  fo  well  that  it  was  something 
very  remarkable. 

To  return  to  my  fubje6l :  they  have  a  kind  of  fuperflition 
in  regard  to  this  hunt;  namely,  they  believe  that  if  they 
fliould  roafi:  any  of  the  meat  taken  in  this  way,  or  if  any  of 
the  fat  fliould  fail  into  the  fire,  or  if  any  of  the  bones  fliould 

be 

"®  Tlie    author    here    refers   to   the     Vide  antca^'^.\yj.     Cf.  alfo  Quebec  ed. 
chief  D'Arontal,  whofe  gueft   he  was.     1632,  p.  928. 


"■'•■  i, 


t 


Siettr  de  Champlain, 


143 


be  thrown  into  it,  they  would  not  be  able  to  capture  any 
more  deer.  Accordingly  they  begged  me  to  roafl  none  of 
this  moat,  but  I  laughed  at  this  and  their  way  of  doing. 
Yet,  in  order  not  to  offend  them,  I  cheerfully  defifled,  at 
leall:  in  their  prefence ;  though  when  they  were  out  of  fight 
I  took  fome  of  the  bell  and  roafled  it,  attachincif  no  credit  to 
their  fuperflitions.  When  I  afterwards  told  them  what  I 
had  done,  they  would  not  believe  me,  iaying  that  they  cou^  1 
not  have  taken  any  deer  after  the  doing  of  fuch  a  thing. 

On  the  fourth  day  of  December  we  fet  out  frou.  this  place, 
walking  on  ne  river,  lakes,  and  ponds,  which  were  frozen, 
and  fometimcs  throuQ:h  the  woods.  Thus  we  went  for  nine- 
teen  days,  undergoing  much  hardfhip  and  toil,  both  the  fav- 
ages,  who  were  loaded  with  a  hundred  pounds,  and  myfelf, 
who  carried  a  burden  of  twenty  pounds,  which  in  the  long 
jonrney  tired  me  very  much.  It  is  true  that  I  was  fometimes 
relieved  by  our  favages,  but  neverthelefs  I  fuffered  great  dif- 
comfort.  The  favages,  in  order  to  go  over  the  ice  more 
eafily,  are  accuftomed  to  make  a  kind  of  wooden  fledge,^''" 
on  which  they  put  their  loads,  which  they  eafily  and  fwiftly 


*^^  Trainees  de  I'ois,  a  kind  of  fledge 
The  Indian's  lledge  was  made  of  two 
pieces  cif  board,  wliich,  with  ids  Hone 
axe  and  perhaps  witii  the  aid  of  tire,  he 
patiently  m mufadured  from  the  trunks 
of  trees.  The  boards  were  each  about 
fix  inches  wide  and  fix  or  feven  feet 
long,  curved  upward  at  the  forward  end 
and  bound  together  by  cnjfs  pieces. 
The  fides  were  bordered  with  Urips  of 
wood,  which  fervcd  as  brackets,  to 
which  was  fafiened  the  llrap  that  bound 
the  baggage  upon  the  fiedge.  The  load 
was  dragged  ly  a  rope  or  firap  of 
leather  paffing  round  the  breaft  of  the 


dray; 

ravage  and  attaclied  to  the  end  of  the 
fledge.  The  lledge  was  fo  narnnv  that 
it  could  lie  drawn  calily  and  without 
impediment  wherever  the  favage  could 
thread  his  way  through  the  pathlefs 
forells. 

The  journey  from  their  encampment 
northeafl  of  Kingllon  on  Lake  Ontario 
to  the  capital  of  the  Hurons  was  not 
lefs  in  a  flraight  line  than  a  hundred 
and  fixty  miles.  Without  a  pathway,  in 
the  heart  of  winter,  through  water  and 
melting  fnow,  with  their  heavy  burdens, 
the  hardfliip  and  exhaullion  can  hardly 
be  exagcjerated. 


I 


i« 


i 


\ 


\ 


!'i 


% 


;i. 


\  I 


i      i 


144 


Voyages  of 


drag  along.  Some  days  after  there  was  a  thaw,  which 
cauied  us  much  trouble  and  annoyance ;  for  we  had  to  go 
through  pine  forefls  full  of  brooks,  ponds,  marflies,  and 
fwamps,  where  many  trees  had  been  bio  .vn  down  upon  each 
other.  This  caufed  us  a  thoufand  troubles  and  embar- 
raffments,  and  great  difcomfort,  as  we  were  all  the  time 
wet  to  above  our  knees.  We  were  four  days  in  this  plight, 
fmce  in  mofl  places  the  ice  would  not  bear.  At  laft,  on 
the  20th  of  the  month,  we  fucceeded  in  arriving  at  our  vil- 
lage.^*^^  Here  the  Captain  Yroquet  had  come  to  winter  with 
his  companions,  who  are  Algonquins,  alfo  his  fon,  whom 
he  brought  for  the  fake  of  treatment,  fmce  while  hunting 
he  had  been  ferioufly  injured  by  a  bear  which  he  was  trying 
to  kill. 

After  refling  fome  days  I  determined  to  go  and  vifit  Fa- 
ther Jofeph,  and  to  fee  in  winter  the  peoi)le  where  he  was, 
whom  the  war  had  not  permitted  me  to  fee  in  the  fummer. 
I  fet  out  from  this  village  on  the  14th  ^"^  of  January  follow- 
ing, thanking  my  hoft  for  the  kindnefs  he  had  fnown  me, 
and,  taking  formal  leave  of  him,  as  I  did  not  expedt  to  fee 
him  again  for  three  months. 

The  next  day  I  faw  Father  Jofeph,^™  in  his  fmall  houfe 
where  he  had  taken  up  his  abode,  as  I  have  before  flated,  I 
flayed  with  him  fome  days,  finding  him  deliberating  about 
making  a  journey  to  the  Petun  people,  as  I  had  alfo  thought 

of 

1®'  Namely  at  Caliiaguc.  In  the  ifl'ue  ^"^  Probably  the  4th  of  January, 
of  1632,  Champl.iin  fays  tliey  arrived  on  i""  Fatlier  Jofeph  Le  Caron  had  re- 
the  23d  day  of  the  month.  I'ide  Oiiel)ec  mained  at  Carhagouha,  during  the  ab- 
ed., p.  929.  Leaving  on  the  4th  and  fence  of  tlie  war  party  in  their  attack 
travelling  nineteen  days,  as  fl.ited  above,  upon  the  Iroquois,  where  Champlam 
they  would  arrive  on  the  23d  December,  probably  arrived  on  the  5th  of  January. 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


145 


of  doing,  although  it  was  very  difagreeable  travelling  in 
winter.  We  fet  out  together  on  the  fifteenth  of  February 
to  go  to  that  nation,  where  we  arrived  on  the  fevcntcenth 
of  the  month.^'^  Thefe  Petun  people  plant  the  maize,  called 
by  as  bl'e  de  T2irquic,  and  have  fixed  abodes  like  the  reft. 
We  went  to  feven  other  villac^es  of  their  neiq-hbors  and 
allies,  with  whom  we  contra6ted  friendihip,  and  who  prom- 
ifed  to  come  in  good  numbers  to  our  fettlement.  They  wel- 
comed us  with  good  cheer,  making  a  banquet  with  meat 
and  filh,  as  is  their  cuftom.  To  this  the  people  from  all 
quarters  flocked  in  order  to  fee  us,  fliowing  many  manifef- 
tations  of  friendfhip,  and  accompanying  us  on  the  greater 
part  of  our  way  back.  The  country  is  diversified  with 
pieafant  Hopes  and  plains.  They  were  beginning  to  build 
two  villages,  through  which  we  paffed,  and  which  were 
fituatcd  in  the  midfl  of  the  woods,  becaufe  of  the  conven- 
ience^'" of  building  and  fortifying  their  towns  there.  Thefe 
people  live  like  the  Attignouaatitans,^''^  and  have  the  fame 
cuftoms.    They  are  fituatcd  near  the  Nation  Neutrc,^'^  which 


"^  In  the  iffue  of  1632,  (lie  arrival  of 
Clnmplain  and  Le  Caron  is  Hated  to 
havi  occurred  on  tlie  17th  of  January. 
This  harmonizes  with  the  correction  of 
dates  in  notes  169,  170. 

Tlie  Huron  name  of  the  Petuns  was 
Tioiiiwiitatcronons,  or  Khioiiontatcro- 
uoiis,  nr  (2uicHiio)itateroHoiis.  Of  tiicm 
Vimont  lays,  '•  Les  Kliionontateronons, 
qu'on  appeile  la  nation  du  I'etun,  ])our 
raboiulance  qu'il  y  a  de  cctte  herbe, 
font  eloignez  du  pays  des  Murons.  dont 
lis  parient  la  langue.  enuiron  douze  ou 
quinze  lieuijs  tirant  a  TOccident."  I'idc 
A'elatioii  des  Jefuites,  1640,  p.  95  ;  Ilis. 
Dm    Canada,  Vol.  I.  p.  209,     Sagard. 


are 

For  fome  account  of  the  fubfequent  liif- 
tory  of  tlie  Nation  de  Petun,  iu'dc  In- 
dian Mi;^ration  in  Ohio,  by  C.  C.  Bald- 
win. 1879,  p.  2. 

1"^  It  was  of  great  importance  to  the 
Indians  to  felect  a  lite  for  tlicir  villages 
where  fuitable  wood  was  acccffiMe,  both 
for  tortit'ying  them  with  palilades  ami 
for  fuel  in  the  winter.  It  could  not  be 
brought  a  great  dirtance  for  either  of 
thefe  purpofes.  Hence  when  the  wood 
in  the  vicinilv  became  exhaullcd  they 
were  compelled  to  remove  and  build 
anew. 

1"^  That  is  to  fay  like  the  Hurons. 

^~*  The  Nation  Neutre  was  called  by 

the 


19 


y,m 


i 


f 


1 


L\ 


1 


I 


1   I 


I 


146 


Voyages  of 


are  powerful  and  occupy  a  great  extent  of  countr}'.  After 
vifiting  thefe  people,  we  fet  out  from  that  place,  and  went 
to  a  nation  of  favages,  whom  we  named  Chf^vaix  Relcves}'^ 
They  were  very  happy  to  fee  us  again,  and  we  entered  into 
friendfhip  with  mem,  while  they  in  return  promifed  to  come 
and  fee  us,  namely  at  the  habitation  in  this  place. 

It  has  feemed  to  me  defirable  to  defcribe  them  and  their 
country,  their  cufloms  and  mode  of  life.  In  the  firft  place 
they  are  at  war  with  another  nation  of  favages,  called  Afifta- 
gueroiion,^''^  which  means  Gens  de  Feu,  who  are  diftant  from 
them  ten  days'  journey.  I  informed  myfelf  accordingly  very 
particularly  in  regard  to  their  country  and  the  tribes  living 
there,  as  alfo  to  their  charac^ler  and  numbers.  The  people 
of  this  nation  are  very   numerous,  and   are   for   the   moft 

part 

the  Hurons  AttiSandnronk  or  Attilwu-  from   Lake   Huron.       Vide   Cartes  de 

andaron.     Vide-  Relation  dcs  Jcfititcs,  /V/Avmy^/r  par  N.  Sanfon,  1657. 

1641,  p.  73;    Diclonaire  de  la  Lait^ve  ^''^  Atjljlachroiioiis,    on    Nation    dii 

Jh'ronitc,   par  Sagard,   a    Paris,    1632.  Feu.     Their  Alt^onquin  name  was  Maf- 

Ciiampl.iin  places  them,  on  his  mnp  of  coutins    or    Mafkoutens,    with    feveral 

1632,  fouth  of  Lake  L.Ie.     His  knowl-  other  orthographies.     The  fignificance 

edge  of  tliat   lake,  obtained   from   the  of  their  name  is  given  hj'  Sagard  as  fol- 

favagcs,  was  very  meagre  as  the  map  lows:    lis  font  errans,  finon  que  quel- 

itfelf  fliows.     The  Neutres  are  placed  ques    villages    d'entr'eux    femcnt    des 

by  early  writers  on   the  well   of   Lake  blecis  d'Inde,  et  font  la  guerre  h  vne 

Ontario  and  north  of  Lake  Erie.      Vide  autre  Nation,  nommee  Ajjltai^iieronon, 


Laverdicre  in  loo,  Quebec  ed.,  p.  546; 
alfo.  Iiiiiian  illii^ration  in  Ohio,  by  C. 
C.  llaldwin.  p.  4.  They  are  placed  far 
to  the  fouth  of  Lake  Erie  by  Nicholas 
Sanfon.  Vide  Cartes  de  rA/nerique, 
1657. 


qui  veut  dire  gens  de  feu:  car  en  langue 
Huronne  Aj/ljla  fignifie  du  feu,  et 
Ero/ion,  fignifie  Nation.  Le  Grand 
Voyoi^e  dv  Pays  des  Hvrons,  par  Gabriel 
Sagard,  a  Paris,  1632,  p.  78.  Vide 
Relation  drs  Jr/iiites,  1641,  p.  72;  D/f- 


'    i 


^~'^  The  Cheveux  Releves  are  rej^re-  co'nery  and  Exploration  of  the  MiJJi/- 

fented  by  Chamjilain  as  dwelling  weft  fif^pi  Valley,  by  John  Gilmary  Shea,  p. 

of  the  Petuns,  and  were  probably  not  13:   Indini  Migration  in  Ohio,  by  C. 

far    from   the    moft   foulhern    limit   of  C.  lialdwin,  pp.  9.  10 ;  Difcovery  of  the 

the   Cieorgian  Bay.     Strangely  enough  A'orthzoejt  by  John  A'icolet,  by  C.  W. 

Nicholas  Sanfon  places  them  on  a  large  Butlerfield,    p.   63;       IJAnieriqve    en 

ifland  that  feparates  the  Georgian  Bay  Flvfievrs  Cartes,  par  N.  Sanfon,  1657. 


Sicttr  de  Champlain. 


«47 


part  great  warriors,  hunters,  and  fifliermen.  They  have 
feveral  chiefs,  each  ruling  in  his  own  diftrict.  In  general 
they  plant  Indian  corn,  and  other  cereals.  They  are 
hunters  'vho  go  in  troops  to  variou?  regions  and  countries, 
where  they  traffic  vith  other  nations,  diflant  four  or  five 
hundred  leagues.  They  are  the  cleanefl  favages  in  their 
houfehold  affairs  that  I  have  ever  feen,  and  are  very  in- 
duflrious  in  making  a  kind  of  mat,  which  conflitutes  their 
Turkifli  carpets.  The  women  have  the  body  covered,  but 
the  men  go  uncovered,  with  the  exception  of  a  fur  robe  in 
the  form  of  a  cloak,  which  they  ufually  leave  off  in  fummer. 
The  women  and  girls  are  not  more  moved  at  feeing  them 
thus,  than  if  they  faw  nothing  unufual.  The  women  live 
very  happily  with  their  hufbands.  They  have  the  following 
cuflom  when  they  have  their  catamenia:  the  wives  with- 
draw from  their  hufbands,  or  the  daughter  from  her  father 
and  mother  and  other  relatives,  and  go  to  certain  fmall 
houfes.  There  they  remain  in  retirement,  awaiting  their 
time,  without  any  company  of  men,  who  bring  them  food 
and  neceffaries  until  their  return.  Thus  it  is  known  who 
have  their  catamenia  and  who  have  not.  This  tribe  is 
accuflomed  more  than  others  to  celebrate  great  banquets. 
They  gave  us  good  cheer  and  welcomed  us  very  cordirlly, 
earneflly  begging  me  to  affift  them  againfi;  their  enemies, 
who  dwell  on  the  banks  of  the  Mcr  Douce,  two  hundred 
leagues  diflant ;  to  which  I  replied  that  they  muft  wait  until 
another  time,  as  I  was  not  provided  with  the  neceffary 
means.  They  were  at  a  lofs  how  to  welcome  us.  I  have 
reprefented  them  in  figure  C  as  they  go  to  war. 

There  is,  alfo,  at  a  diftance  of  a  two  days'  journey  from  them, 

in 


i 


I 


I 


fil 


( 


l^i 


. 


148 


Voyages  of 


u 


in  a  foutherly  diredlion,  another  favage  nation,  that  produces 
a  large  amount  of  tobacco.  This  is  called  N'ation  Native. 
They  number  four  thoufand  warriors,  and  dwell  weftward  of 
the  lake  of  the  Entouhonorons,  which  is  from  eighty  to  a 
hundred  leagues  in  extent.  They,  however,  affifl  the  C/ic- 
vcitx  Relevcs  againft  the  Gcus  de  Feu.  But  with  the  Iroquois 
and  our  allies  they  are  at  peace,  and  preferve  a  neutrality. 
There  is  a  cordial  underflanding  towards  both  of  thefe  na- 
tions, and  they  do  not  venture  to  engage  in  any  difpute  or 
quarrel,  but  on  the  contrary  often  eat  and  drink  with  them 
like  good  friends.  I  was  very  defirous  of  vifiting  this  nation, 
but  the  people  where  we  were  diffuadcd  me  from  it,  fay- 
ing that  the  year  before  one  of  our  men  had  killed  one  of 
them,  when  we  were  at  war  with  the  Entouhonorons,  which 
offended  them ;  and  they  informed  us  that  they  are  much 
inclined  to  revenge,  not  concerning  themfelves  as  to  who 
flruck  the  blow,  but  inflicting  the  penalty  upon  the  firli  one 
they  meet  of  the  nation,  even  though  one  of  their  friends, 
when  they  fucceed  in  catching  him,  unlefs  harmony  has 
been  previoufly  reftored  between  them,  and  gifts  and  pref- 
ents  beflowcd  upon  the  relatives  of  the  deceafed.  Thus  I 
was  prevented  for  the  time  being  from  going,  although  fome 
of  this  nation  affured  us  that  they  would  do  us  no  harm  for 
the  reafon  affio-ned  above. 

Thus  we  were  led  to  return  the  fame  w^ay  we  had  come, 
and  continuing  my  journey,  I  reached  the  nation  of  the 
Pijierinii}''''^  who  had  promifed  to  condudl  me  farther  on  in 

the 

"7  Pificrtttii,   the   Nipiflings.      This    againfl;  the  Iroquois,  and  who  were  paflT- 
relates  to  thofe  Nipiffings  who  had  ac-     ing  the  winter  nmon<j  the  Hurons.     He 
companied  Champlain  on  the  expedition    had  expelled  that  they  would  accom- 
pany 


: 


ik^ 


Sieitr  de  Chainplain. 


149 


the  profecution  of  my  plans  and  explorations.  But  I  was 
prevented  by  the  intelligence  which  came  from  our  great 
village  and  the  Algonquins,  where  Captain  Yroquet  was, 
namely,  that  the  people  of  the  nation  of  the  Atigiiouaati- 
tans^'''  had  placed  in  his  hands  a  prifoner  of  a  hofiile  nation, 
in  the  expectation  that  this  Captain  Yroquet  would  exercife 
on  the  prifoner  the  revenge  ufual  among  them.  But  they 
faid  that,  inflead  of  doing  fo,  he  had  not  only  fet  him  at 
liberty,  but,  having  found  him  apt,  and  an  excellent  hunter, 
had  treated  him  as  his  fon,  on  account  of  which  the  Ati- 
gnouaatitans  had  become  jealous  and  refolved  upon  ven- 
geance, and  had  in  fa6l  appointed  a  man  to  go  and  kill  this 
prifoner,  allied  as  he  was.  As  he  was  put  to  death  in  the 
prefence  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Algonquin  nation,  they,  indig- 
nant at  fuch  an  adl:  and  moved  to  anger,  killed  on  the  fpot 
this  rafli  murderer;  whereupon  the  Atignouaatitans  feeling 
themfelves  infulted,  feeing  one  of  their  comrades  dead,  fcized 
their  arms  and  went  to  the  tents  of  the  Algonquins,  who 
were  paffmg  the  winter  near  the  above  mentioned  village, 
and  belabored  them  feverely,  Captain  Yroquet  receiving 
two  arrow  wounds.  At  another  time  they  pillaged  fome  of 
the  cabins  of  the  Algonquins  before  the  latter  could  place 
themfelves  in  a  ftate  of  defence,  fo  that  they  had  not  an 
equal  chance.  Notwithflanding  this  they  were  not  recon- 
ciled to  the  Algonquins,  who  for  fecuring  peace  had  given 
the  Atignouaatitans  fifty  necklaces  of  porcelain  and  a  hun- 
dred 

pnny  him  on  explorations  on  the  north  them  of  the  quarrel  that  hrd  arifen  be- 
ef them.  But  arriving  at  their  encamp-  tween  the  Alijonquins  and  the  Hurons. 
ment,  on  his  return  from  the  Petuns  ^"^  Attigouantans,  the  principal  tribe 
and  Cheveux  Relev^s,  he  learned  from  of  the  Hurons. 


«'    '■ 


t 


\ 


i  , 


)    i 


J 


ISO 


Voyages  of 


i  11 


'if 


dred  branches  of  the  fame  ^'^  which  they  value  highly,  and 
likewife  a  number  of  kettles  and  axes,  together  with  two 
female  prifoncrs  in  place  of  the  dead  man.  They  were,  in  a 
word,  flill  in  a  flate  of  violent  animofity.  The  Algonquins 
were  obliged  to  fuffer  patiently  this  great  rage,  and  feared 
that  they  might  all  be  killed,  not  feeling  any  fecurity, 
notwithftanding  their  gifts,  until  they  fliould  be  differently 
fituated.  This  intelligence  grea<-ly  difturbed  me,  when  I 
confidered  the  harm  that  might  arife  not  only  to  them,  but 
to  us  as  well,  who  were  in  their  country. 

I  then  met  two  or  three  favages  of  our  large  village,  who 
earneflly  entreated  me  to  go  to  them  in  order  to  e£fe6t  a 
reconciliation,  declaring  that  if  I  did  not  go  none  of  them 
would  come  to  us  any  more,  fince  they  were  at  war  with  the 
Algonquins  and  regarded  us  as  their  friends.  In  view  of 
this  I  fet  out  as  foon  as  poffible,  and  vifited  on  my  way  the 
Nipiffmgs  to  afcertain  when  they  would  be  ready  for  the 
journey  to  the  north,  which  I  found  broken  off  on  account  of 
these  quarrels  and  hoftilities,  as  my  interpreter  gave  me  to 
underfland,  who  faid  that  Captain  Yroquet  had  come  among 
all  thefe  tribes  to  find  and  await  me.  He  had  requefled 
them  to  be  at  the  habitation  of  the  French  at  the  fame  time 
with  himfelf  to  fee  what  agreement  could  be  made  between 
them  and  the  Atignouaatitans,  and  to  poftpone  the  journey 
to  the  north  to  another  time.    Moreover,  Yroquet  had  given 

porcelain 


^''^  Colliers    de    ■poiirceline.       Thefe 
necklaces    were    compofed    of    fhells, 


graved  reprefentation  may  be  feen  in 
Hijioire  de  LAmerique  Sepicntrionale, 


'\-       i 


pierced  and  ftriing  like  beads.  They  par  De  la  Pc  herie,  Paris,  1722,  Tom.  I 
were  of  a  violet  color,  and  were  efteemed  p.  334.  For  a  full  defcription  of  thefe 
of  jjreat  value.  The  branches  were  necklaces  and  their  fignificance  and  ufe 
ftrings  of  white  fliells,  and  were  more  in  their  councils,  vide  Charlevoix' s  Let- 
common   and   lefs   valuable.      An   en-  ters^  London,  1763,  p-  132. 


Sieur  de  Champlain. 


151 


porcelain  to  break  off  this  journey.  They  promifcd  us  to  be 
at  our  habitation  at  the  lame  time  as  the  otiiers. 

If  ever  there  was  one  greatly  dilheartenccl  it  was  myfelf, 
fmce  I  had  been  waiting  to  fee  this  year  what  during  many 
preceding  ones  I  had  been  fceking  for  with  great  toil  and 
effort,  through  lb  many  fatigues  and  rilks  of  my  life.  But 
realizing  that  I  could  not  help  the  matter,  and  that  every- 
tliing  depended  on  the  will  of  God,  I  comforted  mylelf,  re- 
folving  to  fee  it  in  a  fliort  time.  I  had  luch  fure  informa- 
tion that  I  could  not  doubt  the  report  of  thefe  people,  who 
go  to  traffic  with  others  dwelling  in  thofe  northern  regions, 
a  great  part  of  whom  live  in  a  place  very  abundant  in  the 
chafe,  and  where  there  are  great  numbers  of  large  animals, 
the  fkins  of  feveral  of  which  I  faw,  and  which  I  concluded 
were  buffaloes^'"'  from  their  reprefentation  of  their  form. 
Fifhing  is  alfo  very  abundant  there.  This  journey  rec{uires 
forty  days,  r  3  well  in  returning  as  in  going. 

I  fet  out  towards  our  above-mentioned  village  on  the 
15th  of  February,  taking  with  me  fix  of  our  men.  Having 
arrived  at  that  place  the  inhabitants  were  greatly  plealed,  as 
alfo  the  Algonquins,  whom  I  fent  our  interpreter  to  vifit  in 
order  to  afcertain  how  everything  had  taken  place  on  both 

fides, 

^^^  Biiffles,  bufi;;loc.s.     The  American  found  as  far  north  as  63°  or  64°.      Vide 

Bifon,    Bos  Ar/uritaiiies.       The   fkins  Dr.  Sliea's    ititerelling  account  of   the 

feen  by  Champlain  in  the  polTefrion  of  buffalo   in   Difcovery  and  Exploration 

the  favages  fecm   to  indicate  tliat  the  of  MiJJiJpppi  Valley,  p.  18.     The  range 

range  of  the  l)uftalo  was  probably  fur-  of  the  Mulk  Ox   is   Hill  farther  north, 

ther  eafl:   at   that   jieriod    tlum   at   the  rarely  fouth  of  latitude  67°.     His  home 

prefcnt  time,  its  eaftcrn  limit  lu'ing  now  is  in  the  B.irren  Grounds,  weft  of  Hud- 

about  the  Red  River,  whicli  flows  into  fon  Bay,  and  on  the  illands  on  the  north 

Lake    Winnipeg.        The    limit    of    its  of   the  American  Continent,  where  he 

northern   range   is   generally  flated    to  fubfids    largely    on    lichens     and     the 

be  at  latitude  60°,  but  it  is  fometimes  meagre  herbage  of  that  froily  region. 


\ 


i 


I 


!  1 


\ 


I 


1 


.''^  i 


152 


Voyages  of 


fides,  for  I  did  not  willi  to  go  myfclf  that  I  might  give  no 
ground  for  fiifpicion  to  cither  party. 

Two  days  were  fpent  in  hearing  from  both  fides  how 
everything  had  taken  place.  After  this  the  principal  men 
and  fcniors  of  the  place  came  away  with  us,  and  we  all 
together  went  to  the  Algonquins.  Here  in  one  of  their 
cabins,  where  feveral  of  the  leading  men  were  affembled, 
they  all,  after  fome  talk,  agreed  to  come  and  accept  all  that 
might  be  faid  by  me  as  arbiter  in  the  matter,  and  to  carry 
out  what  I  might  propofe. 

Then  I  gathered  the  views  of  each  one,  obtaining  and 
invefligating  the  wiflics  and  inclinations  of  both  parties,  and 
afcertained  that  all  th(     wanted  was  peace. 

I  fet  forth  to  .hem  that  the  befl  courfe  was  to  become 
reconciled  and  remain  friends,  fince  being  united  and  bound 
together  they  could  the  more  eafily  witbiland  their  enemies; 
and  as  I  went  away  I  begged  them  not  to  afk  me  to  effedl 
their  reconciliation  if  they  did  not  intend  to  follow  in  all  re- 
fpe61s  the  advice  I  fliould  give  them  in  regard  to  this  difpute, 
fince  they  had  done  me  the  honor  to  requefl;  my  opinion. 
Whereupon  they  told  me  anew  that  they  had  not  defired  my 
return  for  any  other  reafon.  I  for  my  part  thought  that  if  I 
fliould  not  reconcile  and  pacif\'  them  they  would  feparate 
ill  difpofed  towards  each  other,  each  partv-  thinking  itfelf 
in  the  right.  I  refledled,  alfo,  that  they  would  not  have 
gone  to  their  cabins  if  I  had  not  been  with  them,  nor  to  the 
French  if  I  had  not  interefted  myfelf  and  taken,  fo  to  fpeak, 
the  jharge  and  conduct  of  their  affairs.  Upon  this  I  faid  to 
them  that  as  for  myfelf  I  propofed  to  go  with  my  hoft,  who 
hc:d  -.iways  treated  me  well,  and  that  I  could  with  difficulty 

find 


i 


Sictcr  dc  Champlain. 


'53 


find  one  fo  good;  for  it  was  on  him  that  the  Algoncjiiins  laid 
the  blame,  laying  that  he  was  the  only  captain  wiio  had 
cauled  the  taking  up  of  arms.  Much  was  laid  by  both  fides, 
and  finally  it  was  concluded  iliat  1  flir.iild  tell  them  what 
feemed  to  me  befl;,  and  give  them  m)  ad\  ice. 

Since  I  faw  now  from  what  was  faid  that  they  referred  the 
whole  matter  to  my  own  decifirn  as  to  that  of  a  father,  and 
promifed  that  in  the  future  I  might  dil  )ofe  of  llu.m  as  I 
thought  bed,  referring  the  whole  matter  to  my  judgment 
for  fettlement,  I  replied  that  I  was  very  glad  to  fee  them  fo 
inclined  to  follow  my  advice,  and  affured  them  that  it  Ihould 
be  only  for  the  beft  interefls  of  the  tribes. 

IVIoreover  I  told  them,  I  had  been  greatly  diflurbed  at 
hearing  the  further  Lid  intelligence,  namely  the  death  of  one 
of  their  relatives  and  friends,  whom  we  regarded  as  one  of 
our  oAvn,  which  might  have  caufed  a  great  calamity  refulting 
in  nothing  but  perpetuil  wars  between  both  parties,  with 
various  and  ferious  difalters  and  a  rupture  of  their  friend- 
fhip,  in  confequence  of  which  the  French  would  be  deprived 
of  feeing  them  and  of  intercourfe  with  them,  and  be  obliged 
to  enter  into  alliance  with  other  nations ;  fmce  we  loved 
each  other  as  brothers,  leaving  to  God  the  puniihment  of 
thofe  mc'iting  it. 

I  proceeded  to  fay  to  them,  that  this  mode  of  aclion  be- 
tween two  nations,  who  were,  as  they  acknowledged,  friendly 
to  each  other,  \vas  unworthy  of  reafoning  men,  but  rather 
characleriftic  of  brute  bcafts.  I  reprefented  to  them,  more- 
over, that  they  were  enough  occupied  in  repelling  their 
enemies  who  purfued  them,  in  routing  them  as  often  as 
poffible,  in  purfuing  them  to  their  villages  and  taking  them 

prifoners ; 


I 


\ 


20 


\^\ 


I 


% 


.  f 


i 


r^ 


,    !. 


)! 


i 


•\        ?|   i 


(   I 


m 


i 


i 


IS4 


Voyages  of 


prifoncrs;  and  that  thcfe  enemies,  fecinc;  divifions  and 
wars  among  them,  would  be  delighted  and  derive  great  ad- 
vantage therefrom,  and  be  led  to  lay  new  and  pernicious 
plans,  in  the  hope  of  loon  being  able  to  fee  their  ruin,  or  at 
leaft  their  enfeebling  through  one  another,  which  would  be 
the  trueil  and  ealiell  way  for  them  to  conquer  and  become 
maflers  of  their  territories,  fince  they  did  not  affifl  each 
other. 

I  told  them  likewife  that  they  did  not  realize  the  harm 
that  might  befall  them  from  thus  acting;  that  on  account  of 
the  death  of  one  man  they  hazarded  the  lives  of  ten  thou- 
fand,  and  ran  the  riflv  of  being  reduced  to  perpetual  flavery ; 
that,  although  in  fact  one  man  was  of  great  value,  yet  they 
ought  to  confider  how  he  had  been  killed,  and  that  it  was 
not  with  deliberate  purpofe,  nor  for  the  fake  of  inciting  a  civil 
war,  it  being  only  too  evident  that  the  dead  man  had  firft 
offended,  fince  with  deliberate  purpofe  he  had  killed  the 
prifoner  in  their  cal)ins,  a  mofl:  audacious  thing,  even  if  the 
latter  were  an  enemy.  This  aroufed  the  Algonquins,  who, 
feeing  a  man  that  had  been  fo  bold  as  to  kill  in  their  own 
cabins  another  to  whom  they  had  given  liberty  and  treated 
as  one  of  themfclvcs,  were  carried  away  with  paffion ;  and 
fome,  more  excited  than  the  reft,  advanced,  and,  unable  to 
reflrain  or  control  their  wrath,  killed  the  man  in  queftion. 
Neverthelefs  they  had  no  ill  feeling  at  all  towards  the  nation 
as  a  whole,  and  did  not  extend  their  purpofes  beyond  the 
audacious  one,  who,  they  thought,  fully  deferved  what  he 
had  wantonly  earned. 

And  befides  I  told  them  they  mufl  confider  that  the  En- 
touhonoron,  finding  himfelf  wounded  by  two  blows  in  the 

ftomach, 


Sicur  dc  Champlain, 


155 


flomach,  tore  from  liis  wound  the  knife  wliich  liis  cncniy 
had  left  there  and  gave  the  latter  two  blows,  as  I  had  been 
informed ;  fo  that  in  fa(5l  one  could  not  tell  whether  it  was 
really  the  Algonquins  who  had  committed  the  murder.  And 
in  order  to  (how  to  the  Attigouantans  that  the  Algonquins 
did  not  love  the  prifoner,  and  that  Yroquet  did  not  bear 
towards  him  the  affedion  which  they  were  difpofed  to  think, 
I  reminded  them  that  they  had  eaten  him,  as  he  had  inflided 
blows  with  a  knife  upon  his  enemy;  a  thing,  however,  un- 
worthy of  a  human  being,  but  rather  charadcriflic  of  brute 
beads. 

I  told  them  alfo  that  the  Algonquins  very  much  regretted 
all  that  had  taken  place,  and  that,  if  they  had  fupppofed  luch 
a  thing  would  have  happened,  they  would  have  facrificed  this 
Iroquois  for  their  fatisfaction.  I  reminded  them  like  wile 
that  they  had  made  recompenfe  for  this  death  and  offence, 
if  fo  it  fliould  be  called,  by  large  prefents  and  two  prifoners, 
on  which  account  they  had  no  reafon  at  prefent  to  com- 
plain, and  ought  to  reflrain  themfelves  and  a6t  more  mildly 
towards  the  Algonquins,  their  friends.  I  told  them  that, 
fmce  they  had  promifxl  to  fubmit  every  thing  to  arbitration, 
I  entreated  them  to  forget  all  that  had  palled  between  them 
and  never  to  think  of  it  again,  nor  bear  any  hatred  or  ill  will 
on  account  of  it  to  each  other,  but  to  live  good  friends  as 
before,  by  doing  which  they  would  conftrain  us  to  love  them 
and  affifl  them  as  I  had  done  in  the  paft.  But  in  cafe  they 
Ihould  not  be  pleafcd  with  my  advice,  I  rcquefled  them  to 
come,  in  as  large  numbers  as  poffible,  to  our  fettlement,  fo 
that  there,  in  the  prefence  of  all  the  captains  of  veffels,  our 
friendfhip  might  be  ratified  anew,  and   meafures    taken  to 

fee  u  re 


I 


)i 


I  I 


r  -T 


156 


Voyages  of 


;' ! 


fecure  them  from  their  enemies,  a  thing  wnich  they  ought 
to  confidcr. 

Then  they  began  to  fay  that  I  had  fpoken  well,  and  that 
they  would  adhere  to  what  I  had  faid,  and  all  went  away  to 
their  cabins,  apparently  fatisfied,  excepting  the  Algonquins, 
who  broke  up  and  proceeded  to  their  village,  but  who,  as  it 
.jemed  to  me,  appeared  to  be  not  entirely  fatisfied,  fmce 
they  faid  among  themfelves  that  they  would  not  come  to 
winter  again  in  thefe  places,  the  death  of  thefe  two  men 
having  cofl  them  too  dearlv.  As  for  myfelf,  I  returned  to 
my  hoft,  in  whom  I  endeavored  to  infpire  all  the  courage  I 
could,  in  order  to  induce  him  to  come  to  our  fettlement, 
and  bring  with  him  all  thofe  of  his  country. 

During  the  winter,  which  lafted  four  months,  I  had  fuffi- 
cient  leifure  to  obferve  their  country,  cufloms,  drefs,  manner 
of  livinsf-  the  chara6ler  of  their  affemblies,  and  other  thinc^s 
which  I  fliould  like  to  defcribe.  But  it  is  neceffary  firfh  to 
fpeak  of  the  fituation  of  the  country  in  general  and  its  divi- 
fions,  alfo  of  the  location  of  the  tribes  and  the  diflances 
between  them. 

The  country  extends  in  length,  in  the  direction  from  eaft 
to  wefl,  nearly  four  hundred  and  fifty  leagues,  and  fome 
eighty  or  a  hundred  leagues  in  breadth  from  north  to  fouth, 
from  latitude  41°  to  48"  or  49°^^^  This  region  is  almoft  an 
ifland,  furrounded  by  the  great  river  Saint  Lawrence,  which 
paffes  through  feveral  lakes  of  great  extent,  on  the  fliores 
of  which  dwell  various  tribes  fpeaking  different  languages, 
having  fixed  abodes,  and  all  fond  of  the  cultivation  of  the 
foil,  but  with  various  modes  of  life,  and  cuftoms,  fome  better 

than 

'81  Champlain  is  here  fpeaking  of  the  wliolc  country  ci  New  France. 


'Ua 


Sieur  de  Champlam, 


157 


than  others.  On  the  Hiore  north  of  this  great  river,  extend- 
ing weftcrly  fome  hundred  leagues  towards  the  Attigouan- 
lans,^^^  there  are  very  high  mountains,  and  the  air  is  more 
temperate  than  in  any  other  part  of  thele  regions,  the  latitude 
being  41°.  All  theie  places  abound  in  game,  fuch  as  flags, 
caribous,  elks,  does,^^"  buffaloes,  bears,  wolves,  beavers,  foxes, 
minxes,^*^^  weafels,^*''  and  many  other  kinds  of  animals  which 
we  do  not  have  in  France.  Fifliing  is  abundant,  there  being 
many  varieties,  both  thofe  which  we  have  in  France,  as 
alfo  others  w^hich  we  have  not.  There  are  likewile  many 
birds  in  their  time  and  feafon.  The  country  is  traverfed  by 
numerous  rivers,  brooks,  and  ponds,  connecfting  with  each 
other  and  finally  emptying  into  the  river  St.  Lawrence  and 
the  lakes  through  which  it  paffes.  The  country  is  very 
pleafant  in  fpring,  is  covered  with  extenfu'C  and  lofty  for- 
efts,  and  filled  with  wood  fimilar  to  that  which  we  have  in 
France,  although  in  many  places  there  is  much  cleared  land, 
where  they  plant  Indian  corn.  This  region  alfo  abounds  in 
meadows,  lowlands,  and  marflies,  which  furnilh  food  for  the 
animals  before  mentioned. 

The  country  north  of  the  great  river  is  very  rough  and 
mountainous,  and  extends  in  latitude  from  47°  to  49",  and 
in  places  abounds  in  rocks.^^''     So  far  as  I  could  make  out, 

thefe 

"2  This  fentence  in  the  original  is 
unfiniflied  and  defective.  An  cojh'  I't'rs 
le  iVort,  icellc  grande  riiiicrc  terant  h 
VOccidcnt,  etc.  In  the  ed.  1632,  the 
reading  is  Au  cojlc  vers  le  nort  d'icelle 
pande  riuiere  iirani  au  furoi/Ji,  etc. 
The  tranflation  is  accordino:  to  the  ed. 
of  1632.    Vide  Queliec  ed.,  p.  941. 

"»  Champlain    here    gives   the   four 


fpecies  of  tlie  ccrvns  family  under 
names  then  known  to  iiim,  viz.,  the 
moofe,  wapiti  or  elk,  caribou,  and  the 
common  deer. 

^**  Ffliihies.  a  quadruped  known  as 
the  min.K  or  mink,  Mujlcla  vifon. 

18^  Martcs,\SQ-A'iz\%,Mi(JtcIa  -.'uli^aris. 

'5^  The  country  on  the  north,  &c. 
Having  defcribed  the  country  along  the 

coafl 


?  i 


"i?: 


i: 


\  I' 


I  1 


^      ]     i 


158 


Voyages  of 


thefe  regions  are  inhabited  by  favages,  who  wander  througli 
the  country,  not  engaging  in  the  cultivation  of  the  foil, 
nor  doing  anything,  or  at  leafl:  as  good  as  nothing.  But 
they  are  hunters,  now  in  one  place,  now  in  another,  the 
region  being  very  cold  and  difagreeable.  This  land  on  the 
north  is  in  latitude  49"  and  extends  over  fix  hundred  leagues 
in  breadth  from  eaft  to  weft,  of  parts  of  which  we  have  full 
knowledge.  There  are  alfo  many  fine  large  rivers  rifing  in 
this  region  and  difcharging  into  the  before-mentioned  river, 
together  with  an  infinite  number  of  fine  meadows,  lakes,  and 
ponds,  through  which  they  pafs,  where  there  is  an  abundance 
of  fifli.  There  are  likewife  numerous  ifiands  which  are  for 
the  moft  part  cleared  up  and  very  pleafant,  the  moft  of  them 
containing  great  quantities  of  vines  and  wild  fruits. 

With  regard  to  the  regions  further  weft,  we  cannot  well 
determine  their  extent,  fince  the  people  here  have  no  knowl- 
edge of  them  except  for  two  or  three  hundred  leagues  or 
more  wefterly,  from  whence  comes  the  great  river,  which 
paffes,  among  other  places,  through  a  lake  having  an  extent 
of  nearly  thirty  days'  journey  by  canoe,  namely  that  which 
we  have  called  the  .Mcr  Douce.  This  is  of  great  extent,  be- 
ing nearly  four  hundred  leagues  long.  Inafmuch  as  the  fav- 
ages, with  whom  we  are  on  friendly  terms,  are  at  war  with 
other  nations  on  the  weft  of  this  great  lake,  we  cannot 
obtain  a  more  complete  knowledge  of  them,  except  as  they 
have  told  us  feveral  times  that  fome  prifoners  from  the  dif- 
tance  of  a  hundred  leagues  had  reported  that  there  were 
tribes  th.r ^  like  ourfelves  in  color  and   in   other  refpetfts. 

Through 

coafl  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the  lakes,     north,  even  to  the  fouthern  borders  of 
he  now  refers  to  the  country  Hill  further     Hudfon's  Bay.     /  'Uc  small  map. 


■ 


/. 


Sicur  de  Champlain. 


159 


Through  them  tlicy  have  fecn  the  hair  of  thefc  people, 
which  is  very  light,  and  which  they  efleem  highly,  Hiying 
thnt  it  is  like  our  own.  I  can  only  conjeclurc  in  regard 
to  this,  that  the  people  they  fay  reiemble  us  were  thofe 
more  civilized  tlian  themll'lves.  It  would  require  a6lual 
prefence  to  afcertain  the  truth  in  regard  to  this  matter. 
But  affiftance  is  needed,  and  it  is  only  men  of  means,  leilure, 
and  energy,  ho  could  or  would  undertake  to  promote  this 
entcri:)rile  fu  that  a  full  exploration  of  thcfe  places  might  be 
made,  affording  us  a  complete  knowledge  of  them. 

In  regard  to  the  region  fouth  of  the  great  river  it  is  very 
thickly  lettlcd,  much  more  fo  than  that  on  the  north,  and  by 
tribes  who  are  at  war  with  each  other.  The  country  is  very 
plcafant,  much  more  lb  than  that  on  the  northern  border,  and 
the  air  is  more  temperate.  There  are  many  kinds  of  trees 
and  fruits  not  found  north  of  the  river,  while  there  are  many 
things  on  the  north  lide,  in  conxpenfation,  not  found  on  the 
fouth.  The  regions  towards  the  eafl  arc  fufficiently  well 
known,  inafmuch  as  the  ocean  borders  thefe  places.  Thefe 
are  the  coaits  of  Labrador,  Newfoundland,  Cape  Breton,  La 
Cadic,  and  the  Almouchiquois,^"  places  well  known,  as  I 
have  treated  of  them  fufficiently  in  the  narrative  of  my  pre- 
vious voyages,  as  likewife  of  the  people  living  Uiere,  on 
which  account  I  fliall  not  fpeak  of  them  in  this  treatifc,  my 
objedt  being  only  to  make  a  fuccinct  and  true  report  of  v/hat 
I  have  feen  In  addition. 

The  country  of  the  nation  of  the  Attigouantans  is  in  lati- 
tude 

^"  AlmouchiiTUois,  fo  in  the  French  the  Saco  River,  were  denominated  Al- 
for  Almouchiquois.  All  the  tribes  at  mouchiquois  by  the  French.  Vide  Vol 
and  fouth  of  Clioiiacoct,  or  the  mouth  of     II.  p.  63,  ct pajfiin. 


''* 


\ 


'•11 


Fil  5 ' 


I 


M  ^' 


1 60 


II 


ill 


'.HIM,  i 


Voyages  of 


tude  44°  30',  and  extends  two  luindrcd  and  thirty  leagues^*^ 
in  length  weftcrly,  and  ten  in  breadth.  It  contains  eighteen 
villages,  fix  of  which  are  enclofed  and  fortified  by  palifades 
of  wood  in  triple  rows,  bound  together,  on  the  top  of  which 
are  galleries,  which  they  provide  with  flones  and  water;  the 
former  to  hurl  upon  their  enemies  and  the  latter  to  extin- 
guifli  the  fire  which  their  enemies  may  fet  to  the  palifades. 
The  country  is  pleafant,  mofi;  of  it  cleared  I'p.  It  has  the 
fliape  of  Brittany,  and  is  fmiilarly  fituated,  being  almofl;  fur- 
rounded  by  the  Aler  Doticc}^'^  They  affume  that  thefe 
eighteen  villages  are  inhabited  by  two  thoufand  warriors, 
not  including  the  common  mafs  which  amounts  to  perhaps 
thirty  thoufand  fouls. 

Their  cabins  are  in  the  fliape  of  tunnels  or  arbors,  and  are 
covered  witli  the  bark  of  trees.  They  are  from  twenty-five 
to  thirty  fathoms  long,  more  or  lefs,  and  fix  wide,  having  a 
paffage-way  through  the  middle  from  ten  to  twelve  feet  wide, 
which  extends  from  one  end  to  the  other.  On  the  two  fides 
there  is  a  kind  of  bench,  four  feet  high,  where  they  fleep  in 
fummer,  in  order  to  avoid  the  annoyance  of  the  fleas,  of 
which  there  are  great  numbers.  In  winter  they  fleep  on  the 
ground  on  mats  near  the  fire,  fo  as  to  be  warmer  than  they 

would 


188  The  country  of  tlie  Attigouan- 
tans,  fometimes  written  Atti.s^oiiautans, 
the  principal  tribe  of  the  Hurons,  ufed 
by  Champlain  as  inchiding  tl  e  whole, 
with  whom  the  French  were  in  clofe 
alHance,  was  from  eaft  to  well  not  more 
than  al)Out  twelve  leagues.  There  muft 
iiave  been  fome  error  by  which  the  au- 
thor is  made  to  fay  that  it  was  two  hun- 
dred and  thirty  leatj^ues.  Laverdi6re 
suggefts  that  in  the  manufcript  it  might 


have  been  23,  or  20  to  30,  and  that  the 
printer  made  it  230. 

189  The  author  plainly  means  that  the 
country  of  the  Hurons  was  nearly  fu>:- 
rounded  by  the  Mer  Douce  ;  that  is  to 
fay,  by  Lake  Huron  and  the  waters  con- 
necled  with  it,  viz.,  the  River  Severn, 
Lake  Couchiching,  and  Lake  Simcoe. 
As  to  the  population,  compare  The  Jcf- 
nit<;  in  A^orth  America,  by  Francis 
I'arkman,  LL.D.,  note  p.  xxv. 


I^^t'. 


■"^Wli*- 


Sieitr  de  Champlain. 


i6i 


would  be  on  the  platform.  They  lay  up  a  ftock  of  dry  wood, 
with  which  they  till  their  cabins,  to  burn  in  winter.  At  the 
extremity  of  the  cabins  there  is  a  fpace,  where  they  prefervc 
their  Indian  corn,  which  they  put  into  great  calks  made  of 
the  bark  of  trees  and  placed  in  the  middle  of  their  encamp- 
ment. They  have  pieces  of  wood  lulpendcd,  on  which  they 
put  their  clothes,  provifions,  and  other  things,  for  fear  of  the 
mice,  of  which  there  are  great  numbers.  In  one  of  thefe 
cabins  there  may  be  twelve  fires,  and  twenty-four  families. 
It  fmokes  exceffively,  from  which  it  follows  that  many  re- 
ceive ferious  injury  to  the  eyes,  fo  that  they  lofe  their  fight 
towards  the  clofe  of  life.  There  is  no  window  nor  any 
opening,  except  that  in  the  upper  part  of  their  cabins  for  the 
fmoke  to  efcape. 

This  is  all  that  I  have  been  able  to  learn  about  their 
mode  of  life ;  and  I  have  defcribed  to  you  fully  the  kind  of 
dwelling  of  thefe  people,  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  learn 
it,  which  is  the  fame  as  that  of  all  the  tribes  living  in  thefe 
regions.  They  fometimes  change  their  villages  at  intervals 
of  ten,  twenty,  or  thirty  years,  and  transfer  them  to  a  dil- 
tance  of  one,  two,  or  three  leagues  from  the  preceding  fitu- 
ation,^^°  except  when  compelled  by  their  enemies  to  diOodge, 
in  which  cafe  they  retire  to  a  greater  diftance,  as  the  Antou- 
honorons,  who  went  fome  forty  to  fifty  leagues.  This  is  the 
form  of  their  dwellings,  which  are  feparated  from  each  other 
fome  three  or  four  paces,  for  fear  of  fire,  of  which  they  are 
in  great  dread. 

Their  life  is  a  miferable  one  in  comparifon  with  our  own ; 

but 

"0  Vide  antea,  note  172,  for  the  reafon  of  thefe  removals. 

21 


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Voyages  of 


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but  they  are  happy  among  themfelves,  not  having  experi- 
enced anything  better,  and  not  imagining  that  anything 
more  excellent  is  to  be  found.  Their  principal  articles  of 
food  are  Indian  corn  and  Brazilian  beans,^''*^  which  they 
prepare  in  various  ways.  By  braying  in  a  wooden  mortar 
they  reduce  the  corn  to  meal.  They  remove  the  bran 
by  means  of  fans  made  of  the  bark  of  trees.  From  this 
meal  they  make  bread,  ufmg  alfo  beans  which  they  firfl 
boil,  as  they  do  the  Indian  corn  for  foup,  fo  that  they  may 
be  more  ealiiy  crufhed.  Then  they  mix  all  together,  fome- 
times  adding  blueberries  ^-'^  or  dry  rafpberries,  and  fometimes 
pieces  of  deer's  fat,  though  not  often,  as  this  is  fcarce  with 
them.  After  fleeping  the  whole  in  lukewarm  water,  they 
make  bread  in  the  form  of  bannocks  or  pies,  which  they 
bake  in  the  afhes.  After  they  are  baked  they  wafli  them, 
and  from  thefe  they  often  make  others  by  wrapping  them  in 
corn  leaves,  which  they  faften  to  them,  and  then  putting  them 
in  boilincc  water. 

But  this  is  not  their  moft  common  kind.  They  make  an- 
other, which  they  call  migan,  which  is  as  follows:  They 
take  the  pounded  Indian  corn,  without  removing  the  bran, 
and  put  two  or  three  handfuls  of  it  in  an  earthen  pot  full  of 
water.  This  they  I'^il,  ftirring  it  from  time  to  time,  that  it 
may  not  burn  nor  adhere  to  the  pot.     Then  they  put  into 

the 


^'^  Fchues  ihi  B^rftl.  Tliis  was  un- 
doubtedly tlie  common  trailinjr  bean, 
PhaJeoJus  vulgaris,  probably  called  the 
Brazilian  bean,  becaufe  it  refembled  a 
bean  known  under  that  name.  It  was 
found  in  cultivation  in  New  Encjland 
as  mentioned  by  Champlain  and  the 
early   Englifli   fettlers.      Bradford   dif- 


courfing  of  the  Indians,  His.  Plymouth 
Plantation,  p.  S3,  fpeaks  of  "their 
beans  of  various  collours."  It  is  poffible 
that  the  name,  fcbnes  du  Brcfd,  was 
given  to  it  on  account  of  its  red  color, 
as  was  that  of  the  Brazil-wood,  from  tlie 
Portuguefe  word  braza,  a  burning  coal, 
102  Vide  antea,  note  loi. 


Simr  de  Champ  lain. 


163 


the  pot  a  fmall  quantity  of  fifli,  frcfli  or  dry,  according  to 
the  fcafon,  to  give  a  flavor  to  the  migan,  as  they  call  it. 
They  make  it  very  often,  although  it  fmclls  badly,  cfpecially 
in  winter,  either  becaufe  they  do  not  know  how  to  prepare 
it  rightly,  or  do  not  wifli  to  take  the  trouble  to  do  fo.  They 
make  two  kinds  of  it,  and  prepare  it  very  well  when  they 
choofe.  When  they  ufe  fifh  the  migau  does  not  Imell 
badly,  but  only  when  it  is  made  with  venifon.  After  it  is 
all  cooked,  they  take  out  the  fifli,  pound  it  very  fine,  and 
then  put  it  all  together  into  the  pot,  not  taking  the  trouble 
to  remove  the  appendages,  fcales,  or  inwards,  as  we  do, 
which  generally  caufes  a  bad  taile.  It  being  thus  pre- 
pared, they  deal  out  to  each  one  his  portion.  This  migan 
is  very  thin,  and  without  much  lubffance,  as  may  be  well  fup- 
pofed.  As  for  drink,  there  is  no  need  of  it,  tlie  7mgan  being 
fufficiently  thin  of  itfelf. 

They  have  another  kind  of  migan,  namely,  they  roafl  new 
corn  before  it  is  ripe,  which  they  preferve  and  cook  whole 
with  fifli,  or  fiefh  when  they  have  it.  Another  way  is  this: 
they  take  Indian  corn,  which  is  very  dry,  roafl  it  in  the 
afhes,  then  bray  it  and  reduce  it  to  meal  as  in  the  former 
cafe.  This  they  lay  up  for  the  journeys  which  they  under- 
take here  and  there.  The  migan  made  ir  the  latter  manner 
is  the  befl  according  to  my  taffc.  Figure  H  fliows  the 
women  braying  their  Indian  corn.  In  preparing  it,  they 
cook  a  large  quantity  of  fifli  and  meat,  which  they  cut  into 
pieces  and  put  into  great  kettles,  which  they  fill  with  wat(;r 
and  let  it  all  boil  well.  When  this  is  done,  they  gather 
with  a  fpoon  from  the  furface  the  fat  which  comes  from  the 
meat  and  fifh.     Then  they  put  in  the  meal  of  the  roafled 

corn, 


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164 


Voyages  of 


corn,  conflantly  ftirring  it  until  the  migan  is  cooked  and 
thick  as  foup.  They  give  to  each  one  a  portion,  together 
with  a  fpoonful  of  the  fat.  This  difh  they  are  accullomed  to 
prepare  for  banquets,  but  they  do  not  generally  make  it. 

Now  the  corn  freflily  roafled,  as  above  defcribed,  is  highly 
efleemed  among  them.  They  eat  alfo  beans,  which  they  boil 
with  the  mafs  of  the  roafled  flour,  mixing  in  a  little  fat  and 
fifli.  Dogs  are  in  requefl  at  their  banquets,  which  they  often 
celebrate  among  themfelves,  efpecially  in  winter,  when  they 
are  at  leifure.  In  cafe  they  go  hunting  for  deer  or  go  fifli- 
ing,  they  lay  afide  what  they  get  for  celebrating  thefe  ban- 
quets, nothing  remaining  in  their  cabins  but  the  ufual  thin 
migan ^  refembling  bran  and  water,  fuch  as  is  given  to  hogs 
to  eat. 

They  have  another  way  of  eating  the  Indian  corn.  In 
preparing  it,  they  take  it  in  the  ear  and  put  it  in  water  under 
the  mud,  leaving  it  two  or  three  months  in  tins  ftate  until 
they  think  it  is  putrefied.  Then  they  remove  it,  and  eat  it 
boiled  with  meat  or  fifh.  They  alfo  roaft:  it,  and  it  is  better 
fo  than  boiled.  But  I  affure  you  that  there  is  nothing  that 
fmells  fo  badly  as  this  corn  as  it  comes  from  the  water  all 
muddy.  Yet  the  women  and  children  take  it  and  fuck  it 
like  fugar-cane,  nothing  feeming  to  them  to  taflc  better,  as 
they  fliow  by  their  manner.  In  general  they  have  two 
meals  a  day.  As  for  ourfelves,  we  fafted  all  of  Lent  and 
longer,  in  order  to  influence  them  by  our  example.  But  it 
was  time  lofl. 

They  alfo  fatten  bears,  which  they  keep  two  or  three 
years,  for  the  purpofe  of  their  banquets.  I  obferved  that  if 
this  people  had  domeflic  animals  they  would  be  interefled 

in 


.•> 


Sietir  dc  Champ  lain. 


165 


^d 


in  them  and  care  for  them  \'cry  well,  and  I  fliowed  them  the 
way  to  keep  them,  which  would  be  an  caly  thing  for  them, 
fmce  they  have  good  grazing  grounds  in  their  country,  and 
in  large  quantities,  lor  all  kinds  of  animals,  hories,  oxen, 
cows,  iheep,  iwinc,  and  other  kinds,  for  lack  of  which  one 
would  ronficlcv  them  badly  off,  as  they  fecm  to  be.  Yet 
widi  all  their  ilrawbacks  they  feem  to  me  to  live  happily 
anumg  theiwrdves,  t\nce  their  only  ambition  is  to  live  and 
luppcnl  thi'Wilclves,  and  the)  lead  d  more  fettled  life  than 
thofe  who  wander  through  the  forefts  like  brute  bcafls.  They 
eat  \\\any  fquaflies,^''^  which  they  boil,  and  roall  in  the  aflies. 
In  regard  to  their  drcfs,  they  have  various  kinds  and  flyles 
made  of  the  ikins  of  wild  bcafls,  both  thofe  which  they  cap- 
ture themfclvcs,  and  others  which  they  get  in  exchange  for 
their  Indian  corn,  meal,  porcelain,  and  fiHiing-nets  from  the 
Algonquins,  Nipiffings,  and  other  tribes,  which  are  hunters 
having  no  fixed  abodes.  All  their  clothes  are  of  one  uniform 
fliape,  not  varied  by  any  new  flyles.  They  prepare  and  fit 
very  well  the  fkins,  making  their  breeches  of  deer-fkin  rather 
large,  and  their  flockings  of  another  piece,  which  extend  up 
to  the  middle  and  have  many  folds.  Their  Hioes  are  made 
of  the  fkins  of  deer,  bears,  and  beaver,  of  which  they  ufe 
great  numbers.  Befides,  they  have  a  robe  of  the  fame  fur, 
in  the  form  of  a  cloak,  which  they  wear  in  the  Irifh  or 
Egyptian  flyle,  with  fleeves  which  are  attached  with  a  firing 
behind.  This  is  the  way  they  are  dreffed  in  winter,  as  is 
^^^w  in  figure  D.  When  they  go  into  the  fields,  they  gird 
up  their  robe  about  the   body ;   but  when  in  the  village, 

they 

'^^^  Stirouelles,  or  citrouillc'sA\\t  com-    morpha.      rVti'^  Vol.  II.  note  128.     For 
men    fummer   fquafh,    Cucurbita  poly-    figure  D,  t'/W^  p.  116. 


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MA) 


i66 


Voyages  of 


they  leave  off  their  fleevcs  and  do  not  gird  themfelvcs.  The 
Milan  trimmings  for  decorating  their  garments  are  made  of 
glue  and  the  fcrapings  of  the  before-mentioned  fl-cins,  of 
which  they  make  bands  in  various  flyles  according  to  their 
fancy,  putting  in  places  bands  of  red  and  brown  color  amid 
thofe  of  the  glue,  which  always  keep  a  whitifli  appearance, 
not  iofmg  at  all  their  fliape,  however  dirty  they  may  get. 
There  are  thofe  among  thefe  nations  who  are  much  more 
fkilful  than  others  in  fitting  the  fkins,  and  ingenious  in  in- 
venting ornaments  to  put  on  their  garments.  It  is  our 
Montagnais  and  Algonquins,  above  all  others,  who  take  more 
pains  in  this  matter.  They  put  on  their  robes  bands  of  por- 
cupine quills,  which  they  dye  a  very  fine  fcarlet  color.^^ 
They  value  thefe  bands  very  highly,  and  detach  them  fo 
that  they  may  ferve  for  other  robes  when  they  wifh  to  make 
a  change.  They  alfo  make  ufe  of  them  to  adorn  the  face, 
in  order  to  give  it  a  more  graceful  appearance  whenever  they 
wifh  particularly  to  decorate  themfelves. 

Mofl  of  them  paint  the  face  black  and  red.  Thefe  colors 
they  mix  with  oil  made  from  the  feed  of  the  fun-flower,  or 
with  bear's  fat  or  that  of  other  animals.  They  alfo  dye  their 
hair,  which  fome  wear  long,  others  fliort,  others  on  one  fide 
only.  The  women  and  girls  always  wear  their  hair  in  one 
uniform  flyle.  They  are  dreffed  like  men,  except  that  they 
always  have  their  robes  girt  about  them,  which  extend  down 

to 

^'*  The  coloring  matter  appears   to  in  dyeing  the  quills  of  the  American  por- 

have  been  derived  from  the  root  of  the  cupines  red,  which  they  put  into  feve- 

bedftraw,    Galium    tinctoruvi.      Peter  ral  pieces  of  their  work,  and  air,  fun, 

Kalm,  a  pupil  of  Linnaeus,  who  travelled  or  water  feldom  change    this   color." 

in  Canada  in  1749,  ^^.ys,  "The  roots  of  Travels  into  North  Atiierica^  London, 

this  plant  are  employed  by  the  Indians  1771,  Vol.  III.  pp.  14-15. 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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1.^1 


Sieur  de  Champlain, 


167 


to  the  knee.  They  are  not  at  all  afliamed  to  expofe  the 
body  from  the  middle  up  and  from  the  knees  down,  unlike 
the  men,  the  rell  being  always  covered.  They  are  loaded 
with  quantities  of  porcelain,  in  the  fliape  of  necklaces  and 
chains,  which  they  arrange  in  the  front  of  their  robes  and 
attach  to  their  waiiis.  They  alio  wear  bracelets  and  ear- 
rings. They  have  their  hair  carefully  combed,  dyed,  and  oiled. 
Thus  they  go  to  the  dance,  with  a  knot  of  their  hair  behind 
bound  up  with  eel-fkin,  which  they  ufe  as  a  cord.  Some- 
times they  put  on  plates  a  foot  fquare,  covered  with  porce- 
lain, which  hang  on  the  back.  Thus  gaily  dreffed  and 
habited,  they  delight  to  appear  in  the  dance,  to  which  their 
fathers  and  mothers  fend  them,  forgetting  -^othing  that  they 
can  devile  to  embellifh  and  fet  off  their  daughters.  I  can 
teftify  that  I  have  feen  at  dances  a  girl  who  had  more  than 
twelve  pounds  of  porcelain  on  her  perfon,  not  including  the 
other  bagatelles  with  wiiich  they  are  loaded  and  bedecked. 
In  the  illtftration  already  cited,  F  fliows  the  drcfs  of  the 
women,  G  that  of  the  girls  attired  for  the  dance. 

All  thefe  people  have  a  very  jovial  difpofition,  although 
there  are  many  of  them  who  have  a  fad  and  gloomy  look. 
Their  bodies  are  well  proportioned.  Some  of  the  men  and 
women  are  well  formed,  ftrong,  and  robuft.  There  is  a  mod- 
erate number  of  pleafmg  and  pretty  girls,  in  refped  to  figure, 
color,  and  expreffion,  all  being  in  harmony.  Their  blood  is 
but  little  deteriorated,  except  when  they  are  old.  There  are 
among  thefe  tribes  powerful  women  of  extraordinary  height. 
Thefe  have  almoft  the  entire  care  of  the  houfe  and  work  ; 
namely,  they  till  the  land,  plant  the  Indian  corn,  lay  up  a 
ftore  of  wood  for  the  winter,  beat  the  hemp  and  fpin  it, 

making 


i68 


Voyages  of 


'  I  \ 


making  from  the  thread  fifliing-ncts  and  other  ufcful  things. 
The  women  harvefl  the  corn,  hoiifc  it,  prepare  it  for  eating, 
and  attend  to  houfehold  matters.  Moreover  they  are  ex- 
pe(^l:ed  to  attend  their  hufbands  from  place  to  place  in  the 
fields,  filling  the  office  of  pack-mule  in  carrying  the  baggage, 
and  to  do  a  thoufand  other  things.  All  the  men  do  is  to 
hunt  for  deer  and  other  animals,  fifli,  make  their  cabins,  and 
go  to  war.  Having  done  thefe  things,  they  then  go  to  other 
tribes  with  which  they  are  acquainted  to  traffic  and  make 
exchanges.  On  their  return,  they  give  themfelves  up  to 
feflivities  and  dances,  which  they  give  to  each  other,  and 
when  thefe  are  over  they  go  to  fleep,  which  they  like  to  do 
befl  uf  all  things. 

They  have  fome  fort  of  marriage,  which  is  as  follows: 
when  a  girl  has  reached  the  age  of  eleven,  twelve,  thirteen, 
fourteen,  or  fifteen  years  flie  has  fuitors,  more  or  lefs  accord- 
ing to  her  attradlions,  who  woo  her  for  fome  time.  After 
this,  the  confent  of  their  fathers  and  mothers  is  afked,  to 
whofe  will  the  girls  often  do  not  fubmit,  although  the  moft 
difcreet  and  confiderate  do  fo.  The  lover  or  fuitor  prefents 
to  the  girl  fome  necklaces,  chains,  and  bracelets  of  porcelain. 
If  the  girl  finds  the  fuitor  agreeable,  flie  receives  the  prefent. 
Then  the  lover  comes  and  remains  with  her  three  or  four 
nights,  without  faying  anything  to  her  during  the  time. 
They  receive  thus  the  fruit  of  their  affe6lions.  Whence  it 
happens  very  often  that,  after  from  eight  to  fifteen  days,  if 
they  cannot  agree,  flie  quits  her  fuitor,  who  forfeits  his  neck- 
laces and  other  prefents  that  he  has  made,  having  received 
in  return  only  a  meagre  fatisfaction.  Being  thus  difap- 
pointed  in  his  hopes,  the  man  feeks  another  woman,  and  the 

girl 


f? 


V^ 


m 


Sie2tr  dc  Chainplain. 


169 


girl  another  fuitor,  if  it  feems  to  them  defirable.  Th'is  they 
continue  to  do  until  a  favorable  union  is  formed.  It  fomc- 
times  happens  that  a  girl  thus  paffcs  her  entire  youth,  hav- 
ing more  than  twenty  mates,  which  twenty  arc  not  alone  in 
the  enjoyment  of  the  creature,  mated  though  they  arc ;  for 
when  night  comes  the  young  women  run  from  one  cabin  to 
another,  as  do  alfo  the  young  men  on  their  part,  going  where 
it  feems  good  to  them,  but  always  without  any  violence, 
referring  the  whole  matter  to  the  pleafure  of  the  woman! 
Their  mates  will  do  likewife  to  their  women-neighbors,  no 
jealoufy  arifing  among  them  on  that  account,  nor  do  they 
incur  any  reproach  or  infult,  fuch  being  the  cuftom  of  the 
country. 

Now  the  time  when  they  do  not  leave  their  mates  is  when 
they  have  children.      The  preceding  mate  returns   to  her, 
renews  the  affeclion  and   friendfliip  which  he    had    borne 
her  in  the  pall,  afferting  that  it  is  greater  than  that  of  any 
other  one,  and  that  the  child  flie  has  is  his  and  of  his  beget- 
ting.^    The  next  fays  the  fame  to  her.     In  fine,  the  viclory 
is  with  the  flronger,  who  takes  the  woman  for  his  wife. 
Thus  it  depends  upon  the  choice  of  the  woman  to  take  and 
accept  him  who  fhall  pleafe  her  beft,  having  meantime  in  her 
fearching  and  loves  gained  much  porcelain  and,  befides,  the 
choice  of  a  hufband.    The  woman  remains  with  him  without 
leaving  him  ;  or  if  (lie  do  leave  him,  for  he  is  on  trial,  it  muft 
be  for  fome  good  reafon  other  than  impotence.     But  while 
with  this  hulband,  fhe  does  not  ceafe  to  give  herfelf  free  rein, 
yet  remains  always  at  home,  keeping  up  a  good  appearance.' 
Thus  the  children  which  they  have  together,  born  from  fuch 
a  woman,  cannot  be  fure  of  their  legitimacy.     Accordingly, 

xn 


33 


I70 


Voyages  of 


■(  s 


I-  1 


I  I'.'l'    mi    ■' 


in  view  of  this  uncertainty,  it  is  their  cuftom  that  the  chil- 
dren  never  luccecd  to  the  property  and  honors  of  their 
fathers,  there  being  doubt,  as  above  indicated,  as  to  their 
paternity.  They  make,  however,  the  children  of  their  fiflers, 
from  whom  they  are  known  to  have  iffued,  their  fucceffors 
and  heirs. 

The  follov.'ing  is  the  way  they  nourifli  and  bring  up  their 
children  :  they  place  them  during  the  day  on  a  little  wooden 
board,  wrapping  them  up  in  furs  or  fkins.  To  this  board  they 
bind  them,  placing  them  in  an  ere6l  pofition,  and  leaving  a 
little  opening  for  the  child  to  do  its  neceffities.  If  it  is  a 
girl,  they  put  a  leaf  of  Indian  corn  between  the  thighs,  which 
preffes  againft  its  privates.  The  extremity  of  the  leaf  is 
carried  outfide  in  a  turned  pofition,  fo  that  the  water  of  the 
child  runs  off  on  it  without  inconvenience.  They  put  alfo 
under  the  children  the  down  of  certain  reeds  that  we  call 
hare's-foot,  on  which  they  refl  very  foftly.  They  alfo  clean 
them  with  the  fame  down.  As  an  ornament  for  the  child,  they 
adorn  the  board  with  beads,  which  they  alfo  put  on  its  neck, 
however  fmall  it  may  be.  At  night  they  put  it  to  bed,  entirely 
naked,  between  the  father  and  mother.  It  may  be  regarded 
as  a  great  miracle  that  God  fliould  thus  preferve  it  fo  that 
no  harm  befalls  it,  as  might  be  expe(51;ed,  from  fuffocation, 
while  the  father  and  mother  are  in  deep  fleep,  but  that  rarely 
happens.  The  children  have  great  freedom  among  thefe 
tribes.  The  fathers  and  mothers  indulge  them  too  much, 
and  never  punifli  them.  Accordingly  they  are  fo  bad  and  of 
fo  vicious  a  nature,  that  they  often  flrike  their  mothers  and 
others.  The  moft  vicious,  when  they  have  acquired  the 
ftrength  and  power,  ftrike  their  fathers.  They  do  this  when- 
ever 


Sieiir  dc  Cliamplam,  171 

ever  the  father  or  mother  docs  anything  that  docs  not  plcafe 
them.     This  is  a  fort  of  curfc  that  God  inliicls  upon  them. 

In  refped  to  laws,  I  liavc  not  been  able  to  find  out  that 
they  have  any,  or  anything  that  approaches  them,  'nafinuch 
as  there  is  not  among  them  any  corrcclion,  punilhmcnt,  or 
cenfure  of  evil-doers  except  in  the  way  of  vengeance,  when 
they  return  evil  for  evil,  not  by  rule  but  by  paffion,  which 
produces  among  them  conflicts  and  differences,  which  occur 
very  frequently. 

Moreover,  they  do  not  recognize  any  divinity,  or  worfliip 
any  God  and  believe  in  anything  whatever,  but  live  like 
brute  beafls.  They  have,  however,  fome  refped  for  the  devil, 
or  fomething  fo  called,  which  is  a  matter  of  uncertainty, 
fmce  the  word  which  they  ufe  thus  has  various  fignifications 
and  comprifcs  in  itfelf  various  things.  It  is  accordingly  dif- 
ficult to  determine  whether  they  mean  the  devil  or  fome- 
thing elfe,  but  what  efpecially  leads  to  the  belief  that  what 
they  mean  is  the  devil  is  this :  whenever  they  fee  a  man 
doing  fomething  extraordinary,  or  who  is  more  capable  than 
ufual,  or  is  a  valiant  warrior,  or  furthermore  who  is  in  a  rage 
as  if  out  of  his  reafon  and  fenfes,  they  call  him  oqiii,  or,  as 
we  fliould  fay,  a  great  knowing  fpirit,  or  a  great  devil. 
However  this  may  be,  they  have  certain  pcrfons,  who  are 
the  oqtii,  or,  as  the  Algonquins  and  Montagnais  call  them, 
manitous;  and  perfons  of  this  kind  are  the  medicine-men, 
who  heal  the  fick,  bind  up  the  wounded,  and  predid  future 
events,  who  in  fine  practife  all  abufes  and  iilufions  of  the 
devil  to  deceive  and  delude  them.  Thefe  oqiiis  or  conjur- 
ers perfuade  their  patients  and  the  fick  to  make,  or  have 
made  banquets  and  ceremonies  that  they  may  be  the  fooner 

healed, 


i 


jl 


• 


■:    J 


:i 


ft 


172 


Voyages  of 


healed,  their  obje(5l  being  to  participate  in  them  finally  them- 
fclves  and  get  the  principal  benefit  therefrom.  Under  the 
pretence  of  a  more  fpecdy  cure,  they  likewifc  caufc  them  to 
obfcrve  various  other  ceremonies,  which  I  ihall  hereafter 
fpeak  of  in  the  proper  place.  Thcfe  arc  the  people  in  whom 
they  put  efpccial  confidence,  but  it  is  rare  that  they  are  pof- 
feffed  of  the  devil  and  tormented  like  other  favages  living 
more  remote  than  themfclves. 

This  gives  additional  reafon  and  ground  to  believe  that 
their  converfion  to  the  knowledge  of  God  would  be  more 
eafy,  if  their  country  were  inhabited  by  perfons  who  would 
take  the  trouble  and  pains  to  inllru6l  them.  But  it  is  not 
enough  to  fend  to  them  friars,  unlcfs  there  are  thofe  to  fup- 
port  and  affift  them.  For  although  thefe  people  have  the 
defire  to-day  to  know  what  God  is,  to-morrow  this  difpofi- 
tion  will  change  when  they  are  obliged  to  lay  afide  and  bring 
under  their  foul  ways,  their  diffolute  manners,  and  their 
favage  indulgences.  So  that  there  is  need  of  people  and 
families  to  keep  them  in  the  way  of  duty,  to  conflrain  them 
through  mildnefs  to  do  better,  and  to  move  them  by  good 
example  to  mend  their  lives.  Father  Jofeph^"^  and  myfelf 
have  many  times  conferred  with  them  in  regard  to  our 
belief,  laws,  and  cufloms.  They  liftened  attentively  in  their 
affemblies,  fometimes  fayirg  to  us :  You  fay  things  that  pafs 
our  knowledge,  and  which  we  cannot  underftand  by  words, 
being  beyond  our  comprehenfion  ;  but  if  you  would  do  us  a 
fervice  come  and  dwell  in  this  country,  bringing  your  wives 
and  children,  and  when  they  are  here  we  fhall  fee  how  you 

ferve 

"^^  Pfere  Jofeph  Le  Caron,  who  had  paiTed  the  winter  among  the  Hurons. 


s 


Sietir  de  Champlain, 


173 


fervc  the  God  you  worfliip,  and  how  you  live  with  your 
wives  and  children,  how  you  cultivate  and  plant  the  foil, 
how  you  obey  your  laws,  how  you  take  care  of  animals, 
and  how  you  manufac^hire  all  that  we  fee  proceeding  from 
your  inventive  fkill.  When  we  fee  all  this,  we  fliall  learn 
more  in  a  year  than  in  twenty  by  fimply  hearing  you  dif- 
courfe;  and  if  we  cannot  then  underfland,  you  fliall  take 
our  children,  who  fliall  be  as  your  own.  And  thus  being 
convinced  that  our  life  is  a  miferable  one  in  comparifon 
with  yours,  it  is  eafy  to  believe  that  we  fliall  adopt  yours, 
abandoning  our  own. 

Their  words  feemed  to  me  good  common  fcnfc,  fliowing 
the  defire  they  have  to  get  a  knowledge  of  God.  It  is  a 
great  wrong  to  let  fo  many  men  be  loft,  and  fee  them  perifli 
at  our  door,  without  rendering  them  'vhe  fuccor  which  can 
only  be  given  through  the  help  of  ki  igs,  princes,  and  eccle- 
fiaflics,  who  alone  have  the  power  to  do  this.  For  to  them 
alone  belongs  the  honor  of  fo  great  a  work ;  namely,  planting 
the  Chriflian  faith  in  an  unknown  regio:i  and  among  favage 
nations,  since  we  are  well  informed  about  thefe  people,  that 
they  long  for  and  defire  nothing  fo  much  as  to  be  clearly 
inflrudled  as  to  what  they  fliould  do  arid  avoid.  It  is  ac- 
cordingly the  duty  of  thofe  who  have  the  power,  to  labor 
there  and  contribute  of  their  abundance,  for  one  day  they 
muft  anfwer  before  God  for  the  lofs  of  the  fouls  which  they 
allowed  to  perifli  through  their  negligence  and  avarice  ;  and 
thefe  are  not  few  but  very  numerous.  Now  this  will  be 
done  when  it  fliall  pleafe  God  to  give  them  grace  to  this 
end.  As  for  myfelf,  I  defire  this  refult  rather  to-day  than 
to-morrow,  from  the  zeal  which  I  have  for  the  advancement 

of 


i 


i 


r.; 


V 


I 


'mi' 


rii 


174 


Voyages  of 


of  God's  glory,  for  the  honor  of  my  King,  and  for  the  wel- 
fare and  renown  of  my  country. 

When  tiiey  are  fick,  the  man  or  woman  who  is  attacked 
with  any  difeafe  fends  for  the  oqui^  who  vifits  the  patient 
and  informs  himfclf  about  the  malady  and  the  fuffering. 
After  this,  the  oqiii  lends  for  a  large  number  of  men,  women, 
and  girls,  including  three  or  four  old  women.  Thefc  enter 
the  cabin  of  the  fick,  dancing,  each  one  having  on  his  head 
the  fkin  of  a  bear  or  fome  other  wild  beaft,  that  of  the  bear 
being  the  mod  common  as  it  is  the  moft  frightful.  There 
are  three  or  four  other  old  women  about  the  fick  or  fuffer- 
ing, who  for  the  moft  part  feign  ficknefs,  or  are  fick  merely 
in  imagination.  But  they  are  foon  cured  of  this  ficknefs, 
and  generally  make  banquets  at  the  expenfe  of  their  friends 
or  relatives,  who  give  them  fomething  to  put  into  their 
kettle,  in  addition  to  the  prefents  which  they  receive  from 
the  dancers,  fuch  as  porcelain  and  other  bagatelles,  fo  that 
they  are  foon  cured;  for  when  they  find  that  they  have 
nothing  more  to  look  for,  they  get  up  with  what  they  have 
fecured.  But  thofe  who  arc  really  fick  are  not  readily  cured 
by  plays,  dances,  and  fuch  proceedings. 

To  return  to  my  narrative :  the  old  women  near  the  fick 
perfon  receive  the  prefents,  each  finging  and  paufing  in  turn. 
When  all  the  prefents  have  been  made,  they  proceed  to  lift 
up  their  voices  with  one  accord,  all  finging  together  and 
keeping  time  with  flicks  on  pieces  of  dry  bark.  Then  all  the 
women  and  girls  proceed  to  the  end  of  the  cabin,  as  if  they 
were  about  to  begin  a  ballet  or  mafquerade.  The  old  women 
walk  in  front  with  their  bearfkins  on  their  heads,  all  the  others 
following  them,  one  after  the  other.     They  have  only  two 

kinds 


.'•.« 


r, 


T 

rr 

r^^P 

f 

[ 

'H 

1 

t^H 

1 

1 

I'll 

' 

If  1 

I 


i' 


i 


>Si 


t 


1 1 ' 


,: 


I 


I 


Sicur  dc  Chatnplaiu. 


•75 


kinds  of  (lances  with  regular  time,  one  of  four  fleps  and  the 
other  of  twelve,  as  in  the  trioli  de  Ihetagne.  They  e\hil)it 
much  grace  in  dancing.  Young  nuMi  often  take  jxirt  with 
them.  After  dancing  an  hour  or  two,  tiie  old  women  lead 
out  the  fick  perfon  to  dance,  who  gets  up  dolefully  and  pre. 
pares  to  dance,  and  after  a  Ihori  time  Ihe  dances  and  enjoys 
as  much  as  the  others.  I  leave  it  to  you  to  conlider  how 
Tick  (he  was.  Below  is  rcprelented  the  mode  of  their 
dances. 

The  mcdicinc-man  thus  gains  honor  and  credit,  his  patient 
being  fo  loon  healed  and  on  her  feet.  This  treatment,  how- 
ever, does  nothing  for  thole  who  are  dangcroully  ill  and 
reduced  by  weaknefs,  but  caufes  their  death  rather  than 
their  cure ;  for  I  can  tellify  that  they  Ibmetimes  make  fuch 
a  noife  and  hubbub  from  morning  until  two  o'clock  at  night 
that  it  is  impoffible  for  the  patient  to  endure  it  without  great 
pain,  'sometimes  the  jmtient  is  feized  with  the  defire  to 
have  the  women  and  girl  dance  all  together,  which  is  done 
in  accordance  with  the  clireclion  of  the  oqui.  lUit  this  is 
not  all,  for  he  and  the  manitou,  accompanied  by  fome  others, 
make  grimaces,  perform  magic  arts,  and  twift  themlelves 
about  fo  that  they  generally  end  in  being  out  c'  their  fenfes, 
feemingly  crazy,  throwing  the  fire  from  one  fide  of  the  cabin 
to  the  other,  eating  burning  coals,  holding  them  in  their 
hands  for  a  while,  and  throwing  red-hot  afhes  into  the  eyes 
of  the  fpedators.  Seeing  them  in  this  condition,  one  would 
fay  that  the  devil,  the  oqui,  or  manitoii,  if  he  is  thus  to  be 
called,  poffeffes  and  torments  them.  This  noife  and  hubbub 
being  over,  they  retire  each  to  his  own  cabin. 

But  thofe  who  fuffer  efpecially  during  this  time  are  the 

wives 


r 


176 


Voyages  of 


.?■   ' 


'  < 


p 


ii  J 


wives  of  thofe  poffeffed,  and  all  die  inmates  of  their  cabins, 
from  the  fear  they  have  left  the  raging  ones  burn  up  all  that 
is  in  their  houfes.  This  leads  them  to  remove  everything 
that  is  in  fight;  for  as  foon  as  he  arrives  he  is  all  in  a 
fury,  his  eyes  flalhing  and  frightful,  Ibmetimes  flanding  up, 
fometimes  featcd,  as  his  fancy  takes  him.  Suddenly  a  fit 
feizes  him,  and  laying  hold  of  everything  he  finds  in  his 
way  he  throws  them  to  one  fide  and  the  other.  Then  he 
lies  down  and  fleeps  for  fome  time.  Waking  up  with  a 
jump,  he  feizes  fire  and  ftones  which  he  throws  about  reck- 
lefsly  on  all  fides.  This  rage  paffes  off  with  the  fleep  which 
feizes  him  again.  Then  he  rages  and  calls  feveral  of  his 
friends  to  fweat  with  him.  The  latter  is  the  beft  means  they 
have  for  preferving  themfeives  in  health.  While  they  are 
fweating,  the  kettle  boils  to  prepare  them  fomething  to  eat. 
They  remain,  two  or  three  hours  or  fo,  covered  up  with  great 
pieces  of  bark  and  wrapped  in  thf.ir  robes,  with  a  great  many 
ftones  about  them  which  have  been  heated  red  hot  in  the 
fire.  They  fing  all  the  time  while  they  are  in  tlie  rage,  occa- 
fionally  ftopping  to  take  breath.  Then  they  give  them  many 
draughts  of  water  to  drink,  fince  they  are  very  thirfty,  when 
the  demoniac,  who  was  crazy  or  poffeffed  of  an  evil  fpirit, 
becomes  fober. 

Thus  it  happens  that  three  or  four  of  thefe  fick  perfons 
get  well,  rather  by  a  happy  coincidence  and  chance  than 
in  confequence  of  any  intelligent  treatment,  and  this  con- 
firms their  falfe  belief  that  they  are  healed  by  means  of 
thefe  ceremonies,  not  confidering  that,  for  two  who  are  thus 
cured,  ten  others  die  on  account  of  the  noife,  great  hubbub 
and  hiffing,  which  are  rather  calculated  to  kill  than  cure 

a 


Sieur  de  Chaviplain, 

a  fick  perfon.     But  that  they  expccl  to 


177 


by  this  noife,  and 
fhows  how  the  dc\il  d 


recover  their  heaUh 
we  on  the  contrary  I)y  r,]e„ce  and   reft 


Th( 


alfo 


oes  everything  in  hollilitv  to  tl 


iie  cood. 


women  wlio  eo  ini 


ere  are  cu.w  uuiucii  ujio  go  into  thclc  rap-,^s  but  thcv 
do  not  do  fo  much  Iiarm.    They  walk  on  al]  foui's  like  bL-ads 
Seeing  this,  the  magician,  called  oqui,  begins  to  fmo-  tlv^n' 
with  lome  contortions  of  the  face,  he  blows  upon  her  direa' 
ing  he.  to  drink  certain  waters,  and  make  at  once  a  banquet 
ot  hlh  or  flefli,  which  muft  be  procured  although  very  fearce 
at  the  time.     When  the  touting  is  over  and  the  banquet 
ended,  they  return  each  to  her  own  cabin.     At  another  time 
he  comes  back  and  vifits  her  blowing  upon  her  and  fmo-Ino- 
in  company  with  feveral  others,  ^^•ho  ha^-e  been  iLmmoned 
for  this  purpofcand  who  hold  in  the  hand  a  drv  tortoift-nicU 
filled  with  little  pebbles,  which  they  caufe  to  refound  in  the 
ears  of  the  fick  woman.     They  dired  her  to  make  at  once 
three  or  four  banquets  with  Tinging  and  dancing,  when  all 
the  girls  appear  adorned  and  jxainted  as   I  have  reprefentcd 
in   figure  G.      The  oqui  orders    malquerades,   and    direcls 
them  to  dilguife  themfelves,  as  thofe  do  who  run  alono-  the 
flreets  in  France  on  Mardi-grasy^'     Thus  they  go  anl  fin- 
near  the  bed  of  the  fick  woman  and  promenade  throuo-h  the 
village  while  the  banquet  is  preparing  to  receive  the  nialkers, 
who  return  very  tired,  having  taken  exercife  enough  to  be 
able  to  empty  the  kettle  of  its  miga7t. 

According  to  their  cuftom  each  houfchold  lives  on  what 
it  gets  by  fifliing  and  planting,  improv'-.g  as  much  land  as  it 
needs.     They  clear  it  up  with  greai  difficulty,  fince  they  do 

not 

ihl  f^^f-^T'   Shrove-Tuefday.   or    nival,  the  day  before  Afli  Wednefdav 
fle/h  Tue/day,  the  laft  day  of  the  Car-     the  firft  day  in  Lent.  ^^eaneiaay, 

23 


r 


■( 


■i 


r 


s 


i  I 


178 


Voyages  of 


not  have  the  implements  adapted  to  this  purpofe.  A  party 
flrip  the  trees  of  all  their  branches,  which  they  bii'*n  at 
their  bafe  in  order  to  kill  them.  They  clear  carefully  the 
land  between  the  trees,  and  then  plant  their  corn  at  dif- 
tances  of  a  pace,  putting  in  each  place  fome  ten  kernels,  and 
fo  on  until  they  have  made  provifion  for  three  or  four  years, 
fearing  that  a  bad  year  may  befall  them.  The  women  attend 
to  the  planting  and  harvefting,  as  I  have  faid  before,  and  to 
procuring  a  fupply  of  wood  for  winter.  All  the  women  aid 
each  other  in  procuring  this  provifion  of  wood,  which  they 
do  in  the  month  of  March  or  April,  in  the  order  of  two 
days  for  each.  Every  houfehold  is  provided  with  as  much 
as  it  needs ;  and  if  a  girl  marries,  each  woman  and  girl 
is  expelled  to  carry  to  the  newly  married  one  a  parcel  of 
wood  for  her  provifion,  fince  flie  could  not  procure  it  alone, 
and  at  a  fcafon  when  flie  has  to  give  her  attention  to  other 
things. 

The  following  is  their  mode  of  government:  the  older 
and  leading  men  affemble  in  a  council,  in  which  they  fettle 
upon  and  propofe  all  that  is  neceffary  for  the  affairs  of  the 
village.  Tliis  is  done  by  a  plurality  of  voices,  or  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  advice  of  fome  one  amoncc  them  whofe 
judgment  they  confider  fuperior:  fuch  a  one  is  requefled 
by  the  company  to  give  his  opinion  on  the  propofitions  that 
have  been  made,  and  this  opinion  is  minutely  obeyed. 
They  have  no  particular  chiefs  with  abfolute  command,  but 
they  fliow  honor  to  the  older  and  more  courageous  men, 
whom  they  name  captains,  as  a  mark  of  honor  and  refpedl, 
of  which  there  are  feveral  in  a  village.  But,  although  they 
confer  more  honor  upon  one  than  upon  others,  yet  he  is  not 

on 


Sictcr  de  Champ  la  in.  170 

on  that  account  to  bear  fway,  nor  eftccm  himfelf  liiglicr 
than  his  companions,  iinlefs  he  does  fo  from  vanity.  They 
make  no  ufe  of  punifliments  nor  arbitrary  command,  but 
accompHfli  everything  by  the  entreaties  of  the  fcniors!  and 
by  means  of  addreffes  and  remonarances.  Thus  and  not 
otherwife  do  they  bring  everything  to  pafs. 

They  all  deliberate  in  common,  and  whenever  any  mem- 
ber of  the  affembly  offers  to  do  anything  for  the  welfare  of  the 
village,  or  to  go  anywhere  for  the  fervice  of  the  community 
he  is  requefted  to  prefent  himfelf,  and  if  he  is  judged  capa^ 
ble  of  carrying  out  what  he  propofes,  they  exhort  him,  by  fair 
and  favorable  words,  to  do  his  duty.    They  declare  him  to  be 
an  energetic  man,  fit  for  undertakings,  and  affure  him  that 
he  will  win  honor  in  accomplifliing  them.     In  a  word,  they 
encourage  him  by  flatteries,  in  order  that  this  favorable  dif- 
pofition  of  his  for  the   welfare  of   his   fellow-citizens   may 
continue  and  increafe.     Then,  according  to  his  pleafure  he 
refufes   the    refponfibility,  which  few  do,  or  accepts,  fmce 
thereby  he  is  held  in  high  efleem. 

When  they  engage  in  wars  or  go  to  the  country  of  their 
enemies,  two  or  three  of  the  older  or  valiant  captains  make 
^  beginning  in  the  matter,  and  proceed  to  the  adjoining 
villages  to  communicate  their  purpofe,  and  make  prefents  to 
the  people  of  thefe  villages,  in  order  to  induce  them  to 
accompany  them  to  the  wars  in  queflion.  In  fo  far  they  ad 
as  generals  of  armies.  They  defignate  the  place  where  they 
defire  to  go,  difpofe  of  the  prifoners  who  are  captured,  and 
have  the  diredion  of  other  matter-  of  cfpecial  importance, 
of  which  they  get  the  honor,  if  they  are  fuccefsful ;  but,  if 
not,  the  difgrace  of  failure   in    the  war  falls   upon    them. 

Thefe 


I, 


'T^ 


:^'j> 


M 


I      80 


Voyages  of 


Thcfe  captains  alone  are  looked  upon  and  coiifidered  as 
chiefs  of  the  tribes. 

They  have,  moreover,  general  affcmblies,  with  reprefenta- 
tives  from  remote  regions.  Thefe  reprefentatives  come  every 
year,  one  from  each  province,  and  meet  in  a  town  defignated 
as  the  rendezvous  of  the  affcmbly.  Here  are  celebrated  great 
banquets  and  dances,  for  three  weeks  or  a  month,  according 
as  they  may  determine.  Here  they  renew  their  friendfliip, 
refolve  upon  and  decree  what  they  think  befl  for  the  prefer- 
virtlon  of  their  country  againfl;  their  enemies,  and  make  each 
other  handfome  prefents,  after  which  they  retire  each  to  his 
own  diftrict. 

In  burying  the  dead,  they  take  the  body  of  the  deceafed, 
wrap  it  in  furs,  and  cover  it  very  carefully  with  the  bark 
of  trees.  Then  they  place  it  in  a  cabin,  of  the  length  of  the 
body,  made  of  bark  and  ere6led  upon  four  pofls.  Others 
they  place  in  the  ground,  propping  up  the  earth  on  all 
fides,  that  it  may  not  fall  on  the  body,  which  they  cover 
with  the  bark  of  trees,  putting  earth  on  top.  Over  this 
trench  they  alfo  make  a  little  cabin.  Now  it  is  to  be  under- 
flood  that  the  bodies  remain  in  thefe  places,  thus  inhumed, 
but  for  a  period  of  eight  or  ten  years,  when  the  men  of  the 
village  recommend  the  place  where  their  ceremonies  are 
to  take  place;  or,  to  fpeak  more  precifely,  they  hold  a 
general  council,  in  which  all  the  people  of  the  country  are 
prefent,  for  the  purpofe  of  defignating  the  place  where  a 
feftival  is  to  be  held.  After  this  they  return  each  to  his 
own  village,  where  they  take  all  the  bones  of  the  deceafed, 
flrip  them  and  make  them  quite  clean.  Thefe  they  keep 
very  carefully,  although  they  fmell  like  bodies  recently  in- 
terred. 


ed  as 


:fenta- 
every 
nated 
great 
>rding 
dfliip, 
)refer- 
:  each 
to  his 


eafed, 
bark 
Df  the 
)thers 
)n  all 
cover 
r  this 
inder- 
-imed, 
)f  the 
is  are 
old  a 
*y  are 
ere  a 
:o  his 
eafed, 
keep 
ly  in- 
erred. 


r- 


I 


1 

i 

• 

B^* 

3Km 

Ml 

I  i 


I 


I 


;^ 


It 


4 


Sicur  de  Champ  lain. 


i8i 


terred.  Then  all  the  relatives  and  friends  of  the  deccafcd 
take  thefe  bones,  together  with  their  necklaces,  furs,  axes, 
kettles,  and  other  things  highly  valued,  and  carry  them, 
with  a  quantity  of  edibles,  to  the  place  affigned.  Mere, 
when  all  have  alTembled,  they  put  the  edibles  in  a  place 
defignated  by  the  men  of  the  village,  and  engage  in  ban- 
quets and  continual  dancing.  The  fellival  continues  for 
the  fpacc  of  ten  days,  during  whicii  time  other  tribes,  from 
nil  quarters,  come  to  v.-itnefs  it  and  the  ceremonies.  The 
latter  are  attended  with  great  outlays. 

Now,  by  means  of  these  ceremonies,  including  dances, 
banquets,  and  affemblies,  as  above  dated,  they  renew  their 
friendfliip  to  one  another,  faying  that  the  bones  of  their  rela- 
tives and  friends  arc  to  be  all  put  together,  thus  indicating 
by  a  figure  that,  as  their  bones  arc  gathered  together  and 
united  in  one  and  the  fame  place,  fo  ought  they  alfo,  during 
their  life,  to  be  united  in  one  friendfliip  and  harmony,  like 
relatives  and  friends,  without  feparation.  Having  thus  min- 
gled together  the  bones  of  their  mutual  relatives  and  friends, 
they  pronounce  many  difcourfes  on  the  occafion.  Then,  after 
various  grimaces  or  exhibitions,  they  make  a  great  trench,  ten 
fathoms  fquare,  in  which  they  put  the  bones,  together  with 
the  necklaces,  chains  of  porcelain,  axes,  kettles,  fword-blades, 
knives,  and  various  other  trifles,  which,  however,  are  of  no 
flight  account  in  their  cflimation.  They  cover  the  whole 
with  earth,  putting  on  top  feveral  great  pieces  of  wood,  and 
placing  around  many  polls,  on  which  they  put  a  covering. 
This  is  their  minner  of  proceeding  with  regard  to  the  dead, 
and  it  is  the  mofl  prominent  ':eremony  they  have.  Some 
of  them  believe  in  the  immortality  of  the  foul,  while  others 

have 


I 


: 


n 


l82 


Voyages  of 


!' 


have  only  a  prefcntiment  of  it,  which,  however,  is  not  fo 
very  different ;  for  they  fay  that  after  their  deccafe  tliey  will 
go  to  a  place  where  they  will  fmg,  like  crows,  a  fong,  it  mufl 
be  confeffed,  quite  different  from  that  of  angels.  On  the 
following  page  arc  reprefented  their  fepulchres  and  manner 
of  interment. 

It  remains  to  defcribe  how  they  fpend  their  time  in  win- 
ter ;  namely,  from  the  month  of  December  to  the  end  of 
March,  or  the  beginning  of  our  fpring,  when  the  fnow 
melts.  All  that  they  might  do  during  autumn,  as  I  have 
before  flatcd,  they  poftpone  to  be  done  during  winter ; 
namely,  their  banquctings,  and  ufual  dances  for  the  fake  of 
the  fick,  which  I  have  already  defcribed,  and  the  alTemblages 
of  the  inhabitants  of  various  villages,  where  there  are  ban- 
quctings, fniging,  and  dances,  which  they  call  tadcrgics^^"'  and 
where  fometimcs  five  hundred  peiibns  are  colleded,  both 
men,  women,  and  girls.  The  latter  are  finely  decked  and 
adorned  with  the  befl:  and  mofl  coflly  things  they   have. 

On  certain  days  they  make  mafqueradcs,  and  vifit  each 
other's  cabins,  aflcing  for  the  things  they  like,  and  if  they 
meet  thofc  who  have  what  they  want,  these  give  it  to  them 
freely.  Thus  they  go  on  aflcing  for  many  things  without 
end ;  fo  that  a  fingle  one  of  thofe  foliciting  will  have  robes 
of  beaver,  bear,  deer,  lynxes,  and  other  furs,  alfo  fiOi,  Indian 
corn,  tobacco,  or  boilers,  kettles,  pots,  axes,  pruning-knives, 
knives,  and  other  like  things.  They  go  to  the  houfes  and 
cabins  of  the  village,  finging  thefe  words,  That  one  gave 
me  this,  another  gave  that,  or  like  words,  by  way  of  com- 
mendation 

w  Vide  Vol.  I.  pp.  236-238. 


Sietcr  de  Champlain. 


183 

mcnchtion.     But  if  one  gives  them  nothing  they  get  an-rv 
and  Hiow  fuch  fpite  towards  liini  that  wlicn  thev  leave  thev 
lake  a  Hone  and  put  it  near  this  man  or  that  woman  who 
has   not  given    them    anything.      Then,   without    fayin.-   a 
word   they  return  fmging,  whieh  is  a  marlc  of  infult,  cenftire. 
and  ill-will.     1  he  women  do  fo  as  well  as  the  men,  and  this 
modeof  p   .ceeding  tai<es  place  at  night,  and  the  mafquer- 
ade  continues  feven  or  eight  days.     There  are  fome  of  their 
villages  which  liave  maHcers  or  merry-makers,  as  we  do  on 
he   evening  of  Mardi.:rras,  and   tliey  invite   the  other  vil- 
lages  to  come  and  fee  them  and  win  their  utcnfils,  if  they 
can.     Meanwliile  banquets  are    not  wanting.     This  is  the 
way  they  fpend  their  time  in  winter. 

Moreover  the  women  fpin,  and  pound  meal  for  the  journeys 
of  their  hulbands  in  fummer,  wlio  go  to  other  tribes  to  trade 
as  they  decide  to  do  at  the  above-mentioned  councils,  in 
^vhlch  It  IS  determined  what  number  of  men  may  o-q  from 
each  village,  that  it  may  not  be  deprived  of  men  of\ar  for 
Its  protedion ;  and  nobody  goes  from  the  country  without 
the  general  confent  of  the  chiefs,  or  if  they  fliould  go  they 
w^ould  be  regarded  as  behaving  improperly.  The  men  make 
nets  for  fiHiing,  which  they  carry  on  in  fummer,  but  -cner- 
ally  in  winter,  when  they  capture  the  fiHi  under  the  ice  with 
the  line  or  with  the  feine. 

The  following  is  their  manner  of  fifhing.  They  make 
feveral  holes  in  a  circular  form  in  the  ice,  the  one  where 
hey  are  to  draw  the  feine  being  fome  five  feet  long  and 
three  wide.  Then  they  proceed  to  place  their  net  at  this 
opening,  attaching  it  to  a  rod  of  ^vood  from  fix  to  feven  feet 
long,  which  they  put  under  the  ice.     This  rod  they  caufe  to 

pafs 


"11 


''■^ 


t 


li 


li 


I 


!^ 


1 1 


!.'  ' 


184 


Voyages  of 


pafs  from  hole  to  hole,  when  ..nc  or  more  men,  putting  their 
hands  in  the  holes,  take  hold  of  the  rod  to  which  is  attached 
an  end  of  the  net,  until  they  unite  at  the  opening  of  five  to 
fix  feet.  Then  they  let  the  net  drop  to  the  bottom  of  the 
water,  it  being  funk  by  little  ftones  attached  to  the  end. 
After  it  is  down  they  draw  it  up  again  with  their  arms  at  its 
two  ends,  thus  capturing  the  filh  that  are  in  it.  Tiiis  is,  in 
brief,  their  manner  of  filhing  in  winter. 

The  winter  beirins  in  the  month  of  November  and  con- 
tinues  until  the  month  of  April,  when  the  trees  begin  to 
fend  forth  the  fap  and  fhow  their  buds. 

On  the  2 2d  of  the  month  of  April  we  received  news  from 
our  interpreter,  who  had  gone  to  Carantoiian,  through  thofe 
who  had  come  from  there.  They  told  us  that  they  had  left 
him  on  the  road,  he  having  returned  to  the  village  for 
certain  reafons. 

Now,  refuming  the  thread  of  my  narrative,  our  favages 
affembied  to  come  with  us,  and  conduct  us  back  to  our  hab- 
itation, and  for  this  purpofe  we  fet  out  from  their  country  on 
the  20th  of  the  month,''^  and  were  forty  days  on  the  way. 
We  caught  a  large  number  of  fiHi  and  animals  of  various 
kinds,  together  with  small  game,  which  afforded  us  efpecial 
pleafurc,  in  addition  to  the  provifions  thus  furniOied  us  for 
our  journey.  Upon  our  arrival  among  the  French,  towards 
the  end  of  the  month  of  June,  I  found  Sieur  du  Pont  Grave, 
who  had  come  from  France  with  two  veffels,  and  who  had 
almoft  defpaired  of  feeing  me  again,  having  heard  from  the 
favages  the  bad  news,  that  I  was  dead. 

We 

"^  Tliis  muft  have  been  on  the  20th  of  May. 


We 


Slcur  dc  Champlaiiu 


i8s 


\Vc  alio  faw  all  the  holy  fathers  who  had  remained  at 
our  fettleincnt.  'I'hey  too  were  very  hai)py  to  lee  us  again, 
and  we  none  the  lels  lb  to  fee  them.  Welcomes  and  felici- 
tations on  all  fides  being  over,  I  made  arrangements  to  let 
out  from  the  l-'alls  of  St.  Louis  for  our  fettlement,  taking 
with  me  my  hofl  D'Arontal.  1  took  leave  alfo  of  all  the 
other  favages,  alTuring  them  of  my  affeclion,  and  that,  if  I 
could,  I  would  fee  them  in  the  future,  to  affill  them  as  I 
had  already  done  in  the  part,  bringing  them  valuable  pref- 
cnts  to  fecure  their  friendlhip  with  one  another,  and  beg- 
ging them  to  forget  all  the  difputes  which  they  had  had 
when   I  reconciled  them,  which  they  promifed  to  do. 

Then  we  let  out,  on  the  8th  of  July,  and  arrived  at  our 
fettlement  on  the  i  ith  of  that  month.  Here  I  found  every- 
body in  good  health,  and  we  all,  in  company  with  our  holy 
fathers,  who  chanted  the  Divine  fervice,  returned  thanks  to 
God  for  His  caic  in  prcferving  us,  and  prote61ing  us  amid 
the  many  perils  and  dangers  to  which  we  had  been  cxpofed. 

After  this,  and  when   evCr)'thing  had  become  fettled,  I 

proceeded  to  fliow  hofpitalitics  to  my  holl,  D'Arontal,  who 

admired   our   building,   our  condu61:,  and   mode   of   living. 

After  carefully  obferving  us,  he  faid  to  mc^  in  private,  that 

he  fliould  never  die  contented  until  he  had  feen  all  of  his 

friends,  or   at  lead  a  good  part  of  them,  come   and  take 

up  their  abode  with  us,  in  order  to  learn  how  to  ferve  God, 

and  our  way  of  living,  which  he  cfleemed  fupremely  hajjpy 

in  comparifon  with  their  own.     Moreover  he  faid  that,  if  he 

could  not  learn  it  by  word  of  mouth,  he  would  do  fo  much 

better  and  more  eafily  by  fight  and  by  frequent  intcrcourfe, 

and   that,  if  their  minds  could   not  comprehend   our  arts, 

fcicnces, 
24 


(j 


!   Jl' 


^f^ 


\l 


'    ( 


;f 


■' 


\^ 


!"■!! 


1 

*«J 

\ 

'■ 

> 

, 

J'     i 

1 86 


Voyages  of 


fclcnccs,  and  trades,  their  children  who  were  young  could 
do  lb,  as  ihey  had  often  rei)refented  to  us  in  their  country  in 
converfation  witli  leather  Jofep'i.  He  urged  us,  for  the  pro- 
motion  of  this  objec't,  to  make  another  fettlement  at  the 
l*\alls  of  St.  Louis,  fo  as  to  fecure  them  the  palTagc  of  the 
river  atrainll  their  enemies,  alTuring  us  that,  as  foon  as  \vc 
fhould  build  a  houle,  they  would  come  in  numbers  to  live 
as  brothers  with  us.  Accordingly  I  promlled  to  make  a 
fettlement  for  them  as  foon  as  poffible. 

After  we  liad  remained  four  or  five  days  together,  I 
gave  him  fome  valuable  prcfents,  with  which  he  was  greatly 
plcafed,  and  I  begged  him  to  continue  his  affection  for  us, 
and  come  again  to  fee  our  fettlement  with  his  friends. 
Then  he  returned  happy  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Louis,  where 
his  companions  awaited  him. 

When  this  Captain  D'Arontal  had  departed,  we  enlarged 
our  habitation  by  a  third  at  Icafl  in  buildings  and  fortifica- 
tions, fince  it  was  not  fuflficiently  fpacious,  nor  convenient 
for  receiving  the  members  of  our  own  company  and  likcwife 
the  flrangers  that  might  come  to  fee  us.  We  ufed,  in  build- 
ing, lime  and  fand  entirely,  which  we  found  very  good 
there  in  a  fpot  near  the  habitation.  This  is  a  very  ufeful 
material  for  building  for  thofe  difpofed  to  adapt  and  accuf- 
tom  themfelves  to  it. 

The  Fathers  Denis  and  Jofeph  determined  to  return  to 
France,  in  order  to  teflify  there  to  all  they  had  feen,  and  to 
the  hope  they  could  promife  themfelves  of  the  converfic.i  of 
thefe  people,  who  awaited  only  the  affiftance  of  the  holy 
fathers  in  order  to  be  converted  and  brought  to  our  faith 
and  the  Catholic  religion. 

During 


Sicttr  dc  ChamplaiiL 


1S7 


good 


During  my  flay  at  the  fcttlcmcnt  I  Iiad  fonie  ooninion 
grain  cut;  nanicly,  I"*rciicii  grain,  wliicli  had  been  planted 
tiiere  and  wliich  had  conic  up  very  finely,  that  I  might 
take  it  to  I'rance,  as  evidence  that  the  land  is  good  and 
fertile.  In  another  part,  moreover,  there  was  fome  fine  In- 
dian corn,  alfo  fcions  and  trees  which  had  been  given  us  by 
Sieur  du  Monts  in  Normandy.  In  a  word,  all  the  gardens 
of  the  place  were  in  an  admirably  fine  condition,  being 
l)lantcd  with  peas,  beans,  and  other  vegetables,  alio  fcjualhes 
and  very  fuperior  radiihes  of  various  forts,  cabbages,  Ijeets, 
and  other  kitchen  vegetables.  When  on  the  point  of 
departure,  we  left  two  of  our  fathers  at  the  fettlemcnt; 
namely,  leathers  Jean  d'Olbcau  and  Pacifiquc,'''''  who  were 
greatly  pleafed  with  all  the  time  fi)ent  at  that  place,  and 
refolved  to  await  there  the  return  of  Father  Jofeph,'""  who 
was  cxpcclcd  to  come  back  in  the  following  year,  which 
he  did. 

We  failed  in  our  barques  the  20th  day  of  July,  and 
arrived  at  Tadouffac  the  23d  day  of  the  month,  where  Sieur 
du  Pont  Grave  awaited  us  with  his  vclTel  ready  and  equipped. 
In  this  we  embarked  and  fet  out  the  3d  day  of  the  month 
of  AuQ:ufb.  The  wind  was  fo  favorable  that  we  arrived  in 
health  by  the  grace  of  God,  at  Honfleur,  on  the  loth  day  of 
September,  one  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  fixteen,  and  upon 
our  arrival  rendered  praife  and  thanks  to  God  for  his  great 
care  in  preferving  our  lives,  and  delivering  and  even  fnatch- 
ing  us,  as  it  were,  from  the  many  dangers  to  which  we  had 
been  expofed,  and  for  bringing  and  conducting  us  in  health 

to 

1^^  Jean  d'OIbenu  and  the  lay  brother        '^'"'  Jofeph  le  Caron,  who  accompanied 
Pacifique  du  PlefTis.  Champlain  to  France. 


I- 


'rr:w 


f-'i 


li^ 


1 88 


Voyages  of  Chavtplain. 


to  our  country  ;  \vc  bcfought  Him  alfo  to  move  the  heart  of 
our  King,  and  the  gentlemen  of  his  council,  to  contribute 
their  nffillance  fo  far  as  neceffary  to  bring  thefe  poor  favages 
to  the  knowledge  of  God,  whence  honor  will  redound  to  his 
Majefty,  grandeur  and  growth  to  his  realm,  profit  to  his 
fubjeds,  and  the  glory  of  all  thefe  undertakings  and  toils  to 
God,  the  fole  author  of  all  excellence,  to  whom  be  honor 


and  glory. 


Amen. 


I. 


f. 


CONTINUATION  OP  THE  VOYAGHS 

AND   DISCOVERIES   MADE   IN    NEW   FRANCE, 


BY 


SIEUR    DE    CHAMPLAIN, 

CAPTAIN    FOR    THE    KING    IN    THE    WESTERN    MARINE, 
IN    THE    YEAR     1618. 


T  the  beginning  of  the  year  one  thoufand  fix 
lumdrecl  and  eighteen,  on  the  twenty-lecond  of 
March,  I  fet  out  from  Paris,-"^  together  witli 
my  brother-in-law,-^^  for  Honfleur,  our  uliial 
port  of  embarkation.  There  we  were  obHo-ed  to 
make  a  long  flay  on  account  of  contrary  winds.  But 
when  they  had  become  favorable,  we  embarked  on  the  large 
velTel  of  the  affociation,  which  Sieur  du  Pont  Grave  com- 
manded.    There  was  alfo  on  board  a  nobleman,  named   De 

la  Mothc, 


^°^  Champlain  made  a  voyage  to  New 
France  in  1617,  but  ai)i)cars  to  have 
kept  no  journal  of  its  events.  lie  fim- 
ply  obferves  that  nothing  occurred 
worthy  of  remark,  ru/^'  iffiie  of  1632, 
Quebec  ed.,  p.  969.      Sagard   gives    a 


brief  narrative  of  the  events   that  oc- 
curred that  year.     Vol.  I.  pp.  34-44. 

'"-  Eullache  Boulle.  His  father  was 
Nicolas  Uoullo,  Secretary  of  the  King's 
Cliamber,  and  his  mother  was  Mar- 
guerite Alix.      lu/i:  \'ol.  I.  p.  205  ei 


(' 


w 

If 

If 

11 

ij 

rl 


( 


M  ^' 


I 


;' 


:  5I 


1     »' 


tl 


'■■  i  in 
41 


I 


!''■ 


i 


I 


190 


Voyages  of 


la  Mothe,^''^  who  had  previoufly  made  a  voyage  with  the  Jefu- 
its  to  the  regions  of  La  Cadic,  where  he  Was  taken  prifoner 
by  tlie  Enghfh,  and  by  them  carried  to  the  Virginias,  tlie 
place  of  their  fettlement.  Some  time  after  they  transferred 
him  to  England  and  from  there  to  France,  where  there  arofe 
in  him  an  increafed  defu'e  to  make  another  voyage  to  New 
France,  which  led  him  to  feek  the  opportunity  prefented  by 
me.  I  had  affured  him,  accordingly,  that  I  would  ufe  my 
influence  and  afififtancc  with  our  affociates,  as  it  feemed  to 
me  that  they  would  find  fuch  a  perfon  dcfirable,  fince  he 
would  be  very  ufeful  in  thofc  regions. 

Our  embarkation  being  made,  we  took  our  departure 
from  Honfieur  on  the  24th  day  of  May  following,  in  the 
year  161 8.  The  wind  was  favorable  for  our  voyage,  but 
continued  fo  only  a  very  few  days,  when  it  fuddenly  changed, 
and  we  had  all  the  time  head  winds  up  to  our  arrival,  on  the 
3d  day  of  June  following,  on  the  Grand  Bank,  where  the 
frefh  fiflxiy  is  carried  on.  Here  we  perceived  to  the  wind- 
ward of  us  fome  banks  of  ice,  which  came  down  from  the 
north.  vVhile  waiting  for  a  favorable  wind  we  engaged  in 
fifliing,  which  afforded  us  great  pleafure,  not  only  on  ac- 
count of  the  fifli  but  alfo  of  a  kind  of  bird  Q.2\\Q.di  fauquets^^ 
and  other  kinds  that  are  caugl;t  on  the  line  like  fifli.     For, 

on 


203  isjicolns  de  La  Motlie,  or  de  la 
Mottc  le  A'ilin.  Me  liad  been  Lieutenant 
of  SaiilTaye  in  1613,  wlien  Capt.  Arfjall 
captured  tlie  French  colony  at  Mount 
Defert.  ]'ide  Lcs  Voyages  dc  CJiam- 
plain,  1632,  Quebec  ed.,  p.  773;  Rela- 
tion dc  la  Nouvellc  France,  Pere  Biard, 
p.  64. 

2°*  Fauquets.  Probably  the  common 
Tern,  or  Sea  Svallow.   Sterna  hirundo. 


Peter  Kalm,  on  his  voyage  in  1749.  fays 
"  Terns,  y?tV7/rt  Jiirnndo,  Linn.^  though 
of  a  fomcwhat  darker  colour  than  the 
common  ones,  we  found  after  the  forty- 
firft  degree  of  north  latitude  and  forty- 
fcventh  degree  of  wefl  longitude  from 
Lotidnit,  very  i)lentifullv,  and  fomctimes 
in  flocks  of  fome  hundreds;  fometimcs 
they  fettled,  as  if  tired,  on  our  fhip." 
A'rt/w'j  Travels,  1770,  Vol.  L  p.  23. 


Siettr  de  Chmnplain, 


191 

on  throwing  the  line,  with  its  hook  baited  with  cod  liver, 
tliefe  birds  made  for  it  with  a  rufli,  and  in  fuch  numbers 
that  you  could  not  draw  it  out  in  order  to  throw  it  again, 
without  capturing  them  by  the  beak,  feet,  end  wings  as  they 
flew  and  fell  upon  the  bait,  lb  great  were  the  cagernefs  and 
voracity  of  thefe  birds.  This  fiHiing  afforded  us  great  pleaf- 
ure,  not  only  on  account  of  the  fport,  but  on  account  of  the 
infinite  number  of  birds  and  fifli  that  we  captured,  which 
were  very  good  eating,  and  made  a  very  defirable  change 
on  fliipboard. 

Continuing  on  our  route,  we  arrived  on  the  15th  of  the 
month  off  Ifle  Percee,  and  on  St.  John's  day^^^  following 
entered  the  harbor  of  Tadouffac,  where  we  found  our  fmall 
veffel,  which  had  arrived  three  weeks  before  us.  The  men 
on  her  told  us  that  Sieur  des  Chefnes,  the  commander,  had 
gone  to  our  fettlement  at  Quebec.  Thence  he  was  to  go  to 
the  Trois  Rivieres  to  meet  the  lavages,  who  were  to  come 
there  from  various  regions  for  the  purpofe  of  trade,  and 
likewife  to  determine  what  was  to  be  done  on  account  of 
the  death  of  two  of  our  men,  who  had  been  treacheroufly 
and  perfidiouHy  killed  by  two  vicious  young  men  of  the 
Montagnais.  Thefe  two  unfortunate  vidims,  as  the  men 
on  the  veffel  informed  us,  had  been  killed  while  out  hunting 
nearly  two  years  ^o^  before.  Thofe  in  the  fettlement  had 
always  fuppofed  that  they  had  been  drowned  from  the  up. 
fetting  of  their  canoe,  until  a  fliort  time  before,  one  of  the 
men,  conceiving  an  animofity  againft  the  murderers,  made  a 

difclofure 

S  A!:i°Il^'^  "^fy  c""'  J""\24th.  afraffinated  about  the  middle  of  April, 

=«>«  According   to   Sagard   they  were     1617.     Hijt.  Canada,  Vo\.\.  ^^.  6,2. 


192 


Voyages  of 


•   !i 


;■  J 


difclofurc  and  communicated  the  fact  and  caufe  of  the  mur- 
der to  the  men  of  our  fettlemcnt.  For  certain  reafons  it  has 
fccmed  to  me  well  to  give  an  account  of  the  matter  and  of 
what  was  done  in  regard  to  it.  But  it  is  almoft  impolTible 
to  obtain  the  exact  truth  in  the  cafe,  on  account,  not  only 
of  the  fmall  amount  of  tcftimony  at  hand,  but  of  the  diver- 
fity  of  the  flatemcnts  made,  the  mofl  of  which  were  pre- 
fumptive.  I  will,  however,  give  an  account  of  the  matter 
here,  following  the  itatement  of  the  greater  number  as  being 
nearer  the  truth,  and  relating  what  I  have  found  to  be  the 
moft  probable. 

The  following  is  the  occafion  of  the  murder  of  the  two  un- 
fortunate deceafed.  One  of  the  two  murderers  paid  frequent 
vifits  to  our  fettlemcnt,  receiving  there  a  thoufand  kindneffes 
and  favors,  among  other  perfons  from  Sieur  du  Pare,  a  noble- 
man from  Normandy,  in  command  at  the  time  at  Quebec,  in 
the  fervice  of  the  King  and  in  behalf  of  the  merchants  of 
the  Affociation  in  the  year  1616.  This  favage,  while  on  one 
of  his  cuflomary  vifits,  received  one  day,  on  account  of  fome 
jealoufy,  ill  treatment  from  one  of  the  two  murdered  men, 
who  was  by  profeffion  a  lockfmith,  and  who  after  fome 
w^ords  beat  the  favage  fo  foundly  as  to  imprefs  it  well  upon 
his  memor}'.  And  not  fatisfied  with  beating  and  mifufmg 
the  favage  he  incited  his  companions  to  do  the  fame,  which 
aroufed  flill  more  the  hatred  and  animofity  of  the  favage 
towards  this  lockfmith  and  his  companions,  and  led  him  to 
feek  an  opportunity  to  revenge  himfelf.  He  accordingly 
watched  for  a  time  and  opportunity  for  doing  fo,  ading 
however  cautioufly  and  appearing  as  ufual,  without  fliowing 
any  lign  of  refentment. 

Some 


\  I 


Sieur  dc  Champ  lain. 


193 

Some  time  after,  the  lockfmith  and  a  Tailor  named  Charles 
Pillet,  from  the  ifland  of  Re,  arranned  to  go  hunting  and 
flay  away  three  or  four  nights.     For  this  purpofe  tlicy  got 
ready  a  canoe,  and  embarking  departed  from  Quebec  for 
Cape    Tourmente.      Here    there    were    fome    liUle    iilands 
where  a  great  quantity  of  game  and   birds   rcforted,  near 
Ifle  d'Orleans,  and  diflant  iQ.\Q:\\  leagues  from  Quebec.     The 
departure  of  our  men  became  at  once  known  to  the  two 
ravages,  who  were  not  flow  in  flarting  to  purfue  them  and 
carry  out   their  evil  defign.      They  fought   fur  the  place 
where  the  lockfmith  and  his  companion  went  to  fleep,  in 
order  to  furprife  them.     Having  afcertained  it  at  evening, 
at  break  of  day  on  the  following  morning,  the  two  favao-es 
flipped  quietly  along  certain  very  pleafant  meadows.     Arriv- 
ing  at  a  point  near  the  place  in  queflion,  they  moored  their 
canoe,  landed  and  went  flraight  to  the  cabin,  where  our  men 
had  flept.     But  they  found  only  the  lockfmith,  who  was  pre- 
paring to  go  hunting  with  his  companion,  and  who  thought 
of  nothing  lefs  than  of  what  was  to  befall  him.     One'^of 
thefe  favages  approached  him,  and  with  fome  pleafant  words 
removed  from  him  all  fufpicion  of  anything  wrong  in  order 
that  he  might  the  better  deceive  him.     But  as  he  faw  him 
ftoop  to  adjuft  his  arquebus,  he  quickly  drew  a  club  that  he 
had  concealed  on  his  perfon,  and   gave  the  lockfmith  fo 
heavy  a  blow  on  his  head,  that  it  fent  him  ftaggering  and 
completely  ftunned.     The  favage,  feeing  that  the  lockfmith 
was  preparing  to  defend  himfelf,  repeated  his  blow,  flruck 
him  to  the  ground,  threw  himfelf  upon  him,  and  with  a  knife 
gave  him  three  or  four  cuts  in  the  flomach,  killing  him  in 
this  horrible  manner. 


I 


* ) 


In 


I!  ' 


194 


Voyages  of 


I 


!'l     « 


In  order  that  they  might  alfo  get  poffeffion  of  the  failor, 
the  companion  of  the  lockfmith  who  had  ftarted  early  in  the 
morning  to  go  hunting,  not  bccaufe  they  bore  any  fpecial 
hatred  towards  him,  but  that  they  might  not  be  difcovered 
nor  accufcd  by  him,  they  went  in  all  dire6tions  fcarching  for 
him.  At  lail,  from  the  report  of  an  arquebus  which  they 
heard,  they  difcovered  where  he  was,  in  which  dire6lion  they 
rapidly  haftcned,  fo  as  to  give  no  time  to  the  Tailor  to  reload 
his  arquebus  and  put  himlelf  in  a  flate  of  defence.  Ap- 
proaching, they  fired  their  arrows  at  him,  by  which  having 
proflrated  him,  they  ran  upon  him  and  finiflied  him  vith  the 
knife. 

Then  the  affaffins  carried  off  the  body,  together  with  the 
other,  and,  binding  them  fo  firmly  together  that  they  would 
not  come  apart,  attached  to  them  a  quantity  of  ftones  and 
pebbles,  together  with  their  weapons  and  clothes,  fo  as  not 
to  be  difcovered  by  any  fign,  after  which  they  carried  them 
to  the  middle  of  the  river,  threw  them  in,  and  they  fank  to 
the  bottom.  Here  they  remained  a  long  time  until,  through 
the  will  of  God,  the  cords  broke,  and  the  bodies  were  waflied 
afliore  and  thrown  far  up  on  the  bank,  to  ferve  as  accufers 
and  incontefcdble  witneffes  of  the  attack  of  thefe  two  cruel 
and  treacherous  affaffins.  For  the  two  bodies  were  found  at  a 
diflance  of  more  than  twenty  feet  from  the  water  in  the  woods, 
but  had  not  become  feparated  in  fo  long  a  time,  being  ftill 
firmly  bound,  the  bones,  ftripped  of  the  flefli  like  a  fkeleton, 
alone  remaining.  For  the  two  vi61;ims,  contrary  to  the  ex- 
pe(5lation  of  the  two  murderers,  who  thought  they  had  done 
their  work  fo  fecretly  that  it  would  never  be  known,  were 
found  a  long  time  after  their  difappearance  by  the  men  of 

our 


m.'. 


\v 


u. 


Sieitr  de  Chainplain. 


195 


our  fettlement,  who,  pained  at  their  abfcncc,  fcarchcd  for 
them  along  the  banks  of  the  river.  But  God  in  his  jullicc 
would  not  permit  lb  enormous  a  crime,  and  had  caufed  it 
to  be  cxpoled  by  another  favage,  their  companion,  in  retal- 
iation for  an  injury  he  had  received  from  them.  Thus  their 
wicked  a6ls  were  dilclofed. 

The  holy  Fathers  and  the  men  of  the  fetdement  were 
greatly  furprifed  at  feeing  the  bodies  of  thefe  two  unfortu- 
nates, with  their  bones  all  bare,  and  their  fkulls  broken  by 
the  blows  received  from  the  club  of  the  favages.  The 
Fathers  and  others  at  the  fettlement  advifcd  to  preferve 
them  in  fome  portion  of  the  fettlement  until  the  return  of 
our  veffels,  in  order  to  confult  with  all  the  French  as  to  the 
befl  courfe  to  purfue  in  the  matter.  Meanwhile  our  people 
at  the  fettlement  refolved  to  be  on  their  guard,  and  no 
longer  allow  fo  much  freedom  to  thefe  favages  as  they  had 
been  accuflomed  to,  but  on  the  contrary  require  reparation 
for  fo  cruel  a  murder  by  a  procefs  of  juflice,  or  fome  other 
way,  or  let  things  in  the  mean  time  remain  as  they  were,  in 
order  the  better  to  await  our  veffels  and  our  return,  that  we 
might  all  together  confult  what  was  to  be  done  in  the 
matter. 

But  the  favages  feeing  that  this  iniquity  was  difcovcied. 
and  that  they  and  the  murderer  were  obnoxious  to  the 
French,  were  feized  with  defpair,  and,  fearing  that  our  men 
would  exercife  vengeance  upon  them  for  this  murder,  with- 
drew for  a  while  from  our  fettlement.^"^    Not  only  thofe  guilty 

of 

207  Sagard  fays  the  French,  on  account  who  were  af-  .bled  at  Trois  Rivieres, 
of  this  affair,  were  menaced  by  eiVht  Vide  Hijlaire  du  Canada,  1636,  Vol.  I. 
hundred  favages  of    different    nations     p. 42.    The  ftatement,  "on  eftoit  menace 

de 


i(! 


(I    1 


i';i 


t     -%-  '.A 

■i 


II 


196 


Voyages  0/ 


I  !■■ 


of  tlie  2i€i  but  the  others  alfo  being  feized  with  fear  came 
no  longer  to  the  fettlcment,  as  they  had  been  accuflomed  to 
do,  but  waited  for  greater  fecurity  for  themfelves. 

Finding  themfelves  deprived  of  intercourfe  with  us,  and 
of  their  ufual  welcome,  the  lavages  fent  one  of  their  com- 
panions  named  by  the  French,  La  Fcrrurc,  to  make  their 
excufes  for  this  murder;  namely,  they  afferted  they  had 
never  been  accomplices  in  it,  and  had  never  confented  to  it, 
and  that,  if  it  was  defired  to  have  the  two  murderers  for  the 
fake  of  inflicl;ing  juftice,  the  other  favages  would  willingly 
confent  to  it,  unlefs  the  French  fliould  be  pleafed  to  take  as 
reparation  and  reftitution  for  the  dead  fome  valuable  prefents 
of  fkins,  as  they  are  accuftomed  to  do  in  return  for  a  thing 
that  cannot  be  reftored.  They  earneftly  entreated  the 
French  to  accept  this  rather  than  require  the  death  of  the 
accufed  which  they  anticipated  would  be  hard  for  them  to 
execute,  and  fo  doing  to  forget  everything  as  if  it  had  not 
occurred. 

To  this,  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  the  holy  Fa- 
thers, it  was  decided  to  reply  that  the  favages  fhould  bring 
and  deliver  up  the  two  malefa6tors,  in  order  to  afcertain 
from  them  their  accomplices,  and  who  had  incited  them  to 
do  the  deed.  This  they  communicated  to  La  Ferriere  for 
him  to  report  to  his  companions.  q-i  • 


de  hui6l  cens  Sauuages  de  diuerfe  na- 
tions, qui  f'eftoient  aflemblez  cs  Trois 
Rivieres  h  deflein  de  venir  furprendre 
les  Francois  &  leiir  coupper  h  tous  la 
gorge,  pour  preuenir  ia  vengeance  qu'ils 
eudent  pu  prendre  de  deux  de  leurs 
hommes  tuez  par  les  Montagnais  en- 
uiron  la  my  Auril  de  I'an  1617,"  is,  we 
think,  too  ftrong.  The  favages  were 
excited  and  frightened  by  the  demands 


of  the  French,  who  defired  to  produce 
upon  their  minds  a  ftrong  moral  im- 
preffion,  in  order  to  prevent  a  recurrence 
of  the  murder,  which  was  a  private 
thing,  in  which  the  great  body  of  the 
favages  had  no  part.  They  could  not 
be  faid  to  be  hoflile,  though  they  pru- 
dently put  themfelves  in  a  ftate  of 
defence,  as,  under  the  circumftances,  it 
was  very  natural  they  fhould  do. 


V\ 


Sieiir  de  Champlain, 


197 


This  decifion  having  been  made,  La  Fcrriere  withdrew  to 
his  comi)anions,  who  upon  hearing  the  decifion  of  the 
French  found  this  procedure  and  mode  of  juftice  very 
ftrange  and  difficult ;  fince  they  have  no  eflabUfhed  law 
among  themielves,  but  only  vengeance  and  rellitution  by 
prefents.  After  confidering  the  whole  matter  and  deliber- 
ating with  one  another  upon  it,  they  fummoned  the  two 
murderers  and  fet  forth  to  them  the  unhappy  pofition  into 
which  they  had  been  thrown  by  the  event  of  this  murder, 
which  might  caufe  a  perpetual  war  wiih  the  French, 
from  which  their  women  and  children  would  fuffer.  How- 
ever much  trouble  they  might  give  us,  and  although  they 
might  keep  us  fhut  up  in  our  fettlement  and  prevent  us 
from  hunting,  cultivating  and  tilling  the  foil,  and  although 
we  were  in  too  fmall  numbers  to  keep  the  river  blockaded, 
as  they  perfuaded  themfelves  to  believe  in  their  confultations; 
(till,  after  all  their  deliberations,  they  concluded  that  it  was 
better  to  live  in  peace  with  the  French  than  in  war  and  per- 
petual diflrufl. 

Accordingly  the  favages  thus  affembled,  after  finifliing 
their  confultation  and  reprefenting  the  fituation  to  the  ac- 
cufcd,  afked  them  if  they  would  not  have  the  courage  to  go 
with  them  to  the  fettlement  of  the  French  and  appear  be- 
fore them;  promifing  them  that  they  fliould  receive  no 
harm,  and  affuring  them  that  the  French  were  lenient  and 
difpofed  to  pardon,  and  would  in  fliort  go  fo  far  in  dealing 
with  them  as  to  overlook  their  offence  on  condition  of  their 
not  returning  to  fuch  evil  ways. 

The  two  criminals,  finding  themfelves  convi6led  in  con- 
fcience,  yielded  to  this  propofition  and  agreed  to  follow  this 

advice. 


I    f  .1  ! 


"V^ 


I 


«i 


)  I 


i 


f 


I 


i 


]'' 


198 


Voyages  of 


advice.  Accordingly  one  of  them  made  preparations,  ar- 
raying himfclf  in  fuch  garments  and  decorations  as  he  could 
procure,  as  if  he  had  been  invited  to  go  to  a  marriage  or 
Ibmc  great  feftivity.  Thus  attired,  he  went  to  the  fettle- 
ment,  accompanied  by  his  father,  fome  of  the  principal 
chiefs,  and  the  captain  of  their  company.  As  to  the  other 
murderer,  he  cxcufed  himfelf  from  this  journey,^"^^  realizing 
his  guilt  of  the  heinous  a(5l  and  fearing  punifliment. 

When  nn\v  they  had  entered  the  habitation,  which  was 
forthwith  furrounded  by  a  multitude  of  the  favages  of  their 
company,  the  bridge^''  was  drawn  up,  and  all  of  the  French 
put  themfelves  on  guard,  arms  in  hand.  They  kept  a  flrift 
watch,  fentinels  being  ported  at  the  ncceffary  points,  for  fear 
of  what  the  favages  outfide  might  do,  fmce  they  fufpedled 
that  it  was  intended  adlually  to  infli6t  punifliment  upon  the 
guilty  one,  who  had  fo  freely  offered  himfelf  to  our  mercy, 
and  not  upon  him  alone,  but  upon  thofe  alfo  who  had  accom- 
panied him  infide,  who  likewife  were  not  too  fure  of  their 
perfons,  and  who,  feeing  matters  in  this  flate,  did  not  expedl 
to  get  out  with  their  lives.  The  whole  matter  was  very  well 
managed  and  carried  out,  fo  as  to  make  them  realize  the 
magnitude  of  the  crime  and  have  fear  for  the  future.  Other- 
wife  there  would  have  been  no  fecurity  with  them,  and  we 
fhould  have  been  obliged  to  live  with  arms  in  hand  and  in 
perpetual  diftrufl;. 

After  this,  the  favages  fufpe6ling  left  fomething  might 
happen   contrary   to  what   they  hoped   from  us,  the  holy 

Fathers 

208  They  were  then  at  Trois  Rivieres.      feet    deep,   conftrufled    with   a  draw- 

209  The  moat  around  the  habitation     bridge,  to  be  taken  up  in  cafe  of  need. 
at  Quebec  was  fifteen  feet  wide  and  fix     Vide  Vol.  II.  p.  182. 


\ 


Sieur  de  Champlain, 


199 


I'litliLTs  proceeded  to  make  them  an  addrefs  on  the  fiibjecfl 
of  this  crime.  They  let  forth  to  them  the  friendlhip  which 
the  French  had  lliown  them  for  ten  or  twelve  years  back, 
when  we  began  to  know  them,  during  whiich  time  we  had 
continually  lived  in  peace  and  intimacy  with  them,  nay  even 
with  fuch  freedom  as  could  hardly  be  exi)relTed.  They 
added  moreover  that  I  had  in  perfon  affifled  them  feveral 
times  in  war  againfl  their  enemies,  thereby  expofing  my  life 
for  their  welfare  ;  while  we  were  not  under  any  obligations 
to  do  fo,  being  impelled  only  by  friendlliip  and  good  will 
towards  them,  and  feeling  pity  at  the  miferies  and  perfecu- 
tions  which  their  enemies  caufed  them  to  endure  and  fuffer. 
This  is  why  we  were  unable  to  believe,  they  faid,  that  this 
murder  had  been  committed  without  their  content,  and 
efpecially  fmce  they  had  taken  it  upon  themfclves  to  favor 
thofe  who  committed  it. 

Speaking  to  the  father  of  the  criminal,  they  rcprefentcd  to 
him  the  enormity  of  the  vdeed  committed  by  his  fon,  faying 
that  as  reparation  for  it  he  deferved  death,  fmce  by  our  law 
fo  wicked  a  deed  did  not  go  unpunifl^ed,  and  that  whoever 
was  found  guilty  and  conviJled  of  it  deferved  to  be  con- 
demned to  death  as  reparation  for  fo  heinous  an  a6l ;  but,  as 
to  the  other  inhabitants  of  the  country,  who  were  not  guilty 
of  the  crime,  they  faid  no  one  wiflied  them  any  harm  or  de- 
fired  to  vifit  upon  them  the  confequences  of  it. 

All  the  favages,  having  clearly  heard  this,  faid,  as  their 
only  excufe,  but  with  all  refpecl,  that  they  had  not  confented 
to  this  a(5l ;  that  they  knew  very  well  that  thefe  two  criminals 
ought  to  be  put  to  death,  unlefs  we  fliould  be  difpofed  to  par- 
don them ;  that  they  were  well  aware  of  their  wickednefs,  not 

before 


'i  ii 


"^^•^ 


1    i 


r 

1        : 

i'  ' 

i'     J 

200 


Voyages  of 


before  but  after  the  commiffion  of  the  deed;  tliat  they  had 
been  informed  of  the  death  of  the  two  ill-fated  men  too  late 
to  prevent  it.  Moreover,  they  faid  that  they  had  kept  it 
fecret,  in  order  to  prefervc  conftantly  an  intimate  relation- 
fhip  and  confidence  with  us,  and  declared  that  they  had 
adminiftcrcd  to  the  evil-doers  fevere  reprimands,  and  fet 
forth  the  calamity  which  they  had  not  only  brought  upon 
themfelves,  but  upon  all  their  tribe,  relatives  and  friends ; 
and  they  promifed  that  fuch  a  calamity  fliould  never  occur 
again  and  begged  us  to  forget  this  offence,  and  not  vifit  it 
with  the  confequences  it  deferved,  but  rather  go  back  to  the 
primary  motive  which  induced  the  two  favages  to  go  there, 
and  have  regard  for  that.  Furthermore  they  faid  that  the 
culprit  had  come  freely  and  delivered  himfelf  into  our  hands, 
not  to  be  puniOied  but  to  receive  mercy  from  the  French. 

But  the  father,  turning  to  the  friar,^^°  faid  with  tears, 
there  is  my  fon,  who  committed  the  fuppofed  crime ;  he  is 
worthlefs,  but  confider  that  he  is  a  young,  foolifli,  and  incon- 
fiderate  perfon,  who  has  committed  this  a6l  through  paffion, 
impelled  by  vengeance  rather  than  by  premeditation  :  it  is 
in  your  power  to  give  him  life  or  death ;  you  can  do  with 
him  what  you  pleafe,  fmce  we  are  both  in  your  hands. 

After  this  addrefs,  the  culprit  fon,  prefenting  himfelf  with 
affurance,  fpoke  thefe  words.  Fear  has  not  fo  feized  my 
heart  as  to  prevent  my  coming  to  receive  death  according 
to  my  deferts  and  your  law,  of  which  I  acknowledge  myfelf 
guilty.  Then  he  ftated  to  the  company  the  caufe  of  the 
murder,  and  the  planning  and  execution  of  it,  juft  as  I  have 
related  and  here  fet  forth.  j.r. 

210  Probably  P^re  le  Caron,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  miffion  at  Quebec  at 
that  time. 


I  \ 


Sieitr  de  Champlain, 


201 


After  his  recital  he  acldrerfecl  himfelf  to  one  of  the  agents 
and  clerks  of  the  merchants  of  our  AlVociation,  named  Beau- 
chaim\  begging  him  to  put  him  to  death  without  further  for- 
mality. 

Then  the  holy  Fathers  fpoke,  and  (liid  to  them,  that  the 
French  were  not  accullomed  to  put  their  fellow-men  ♦■o  death 
fo  fuddenly,  and  that  it  was  neceffary  to  have  a  joiful- 
tation  with  all  the  men  of  the  lettlement,  and  brin'jj  forward 
this  affair  as  the  lubjecl  of  confideration.  This  being  a 
matter  of  great  confequence,  it  was  decided  that  it  fliould  be 
carefully  conducted  and  that  it  was  bcfl  to  pon:i)one  it  to  a 
more  favorable  occafion,  which  would  be  better  adapted  to 
obtain  the  truth,  the  prefent  time  not  being  favorable  for 
many  rcafons. 

In  the  firft  place,  we  were  weak  in  numbers  in  comparifon 
with  the  favages  without  and  within  our  fettlement,  who,  re- 
fentful  and  full  of  vengeance  as  they  are,  would  have  been 
capable  of  fetting  fire  on  all  fides  and  creating  diforder 
among  us.  In  the  fecond  place,  there  would  have  been  per- 
petual diftruft,  and  no  fecurity  in  our  intercourfe  with  them. 
In  the  third  place,  trade  would  have  been  injured,  and  the 
fervice  of  the  King  impeded. 

In  view  of  thefe  and  other  urgent  confiderations,  it  was 
decided  that  we  ought  to  be  contented  with  their  putting 
themfelves  in  our  power  and  their  willingnefs  to  give  fatisfac- 
tion  lubmiffively,  the  father  of  the  criminal  on  the  one  hand 
prefenting  and  offering  him  to  the  company,  and  he,  for  his 
part,  offering  to  give  up  his  own  life  as  reftitution  for  his 
offence,  jufl  as  his  father  offered  to  produce  him  whenever 
he  might  be  required. 

26  This 


( 


'I 


I 


' 


i| 


202 


Voyages  of 


. 


This  it  was  thought  neceffary  to  regard  as  a  fort  of  honor- 
able amend,  and  a  fatisfa^tion  to  juftice.  And  it  was  confid- 
ered  that  if  we  thus  pardoned  the  offence,  not  only  would 
the  criminal  receive  his  life  from  us,  but,  alfo,  his  father  and 
companions  would  feel  under  great  obligations.  It  was 
thought  proper,  however,  to  fay  to  them  as  an  explanation  of 
our  action,  that,  in  view  of  the  facft  of  the  criminal's  public 
affurance  that  all  the  other  favages  were  in  no  refpeft  ac- 
complices, or  to  blame  for  the  a6t,  and  had  had  no  knowl- 
edge of  it  before  its  accompliOiment,  and  in  view  of  the  fa(5l 
that  he  had  freely  offered  himfelf  to  death,  it  had  been  de- 
cided to  reftore  him  to  his  father,  who  fliould  remain  under 
obligations  to  produce  him  at  any  time.  On  thefe  terms  and 
on  condition  that  he  fliould  in  future  render  fervice  to  the 
French,  his  life  was  fpared,  that  he  and  all  the  favitges  might 
continue  friends  and  helpers  of  the  French. 

Thus  it  was  decided  to  arrange  the  matter  until  the  veffels 
fliould  return  from  France,  when,  in  accordance  with  the 
opinion  of  the  captains  and  others,  a  definite  and  more 
authoritative  fettlement  was  to  be  concluded.  In  the  mean 
time  we  promifed  them  every  favor  and  the  prefervation  of 
their  lives,  faying  to  them,  however,  for  our  fecurity,  that 
they  fhould  leave  fome  of  their  children  as  a  kind  of  hoflage, 
to  which  they  very  willingly  acceded,  and  left  at  the  fettle- 
ment two  in  the  hands  of  the  holy  Fathers,  who  proceeded  to 
teach  them  their  letters,  and  in  lefs  than  three  months  taught 
them  the  alphabet  and  how  to  make  the  letters. 

From  this  it  may  be  feen  that  they  are  capable  of  inflruc- 
tion  and  are  eafily  taught,  as  Father  Jofeph  ^"  can  teftify. 

The 

2"  Vide  Hi/hire  du  Canada,  par  Sagard,  1636,  Vol.  I.  p.  45. 


If  i  \'\ 


\ 


Sieur  de  Champlain, 


203 


The  veffels  having  fafely  arrived,  Sieur  dii  Pont  Grave, 
fome  others,  and  myfelf  were  informed  how  the  affair 
had  taken  place,  as  has  been  narrated  above,  when  we  ail 
decided  that  it  was  defirable  to  make  the  favages  feel 
the  enormity  of  this  murder,  but  not  to  execute  punifli- 
ment  upon  them,  for  various  good  reafons  hereafter  to  be 
mentioned. 

As  foon  as  our  veffels  had  entered  the  harbor  of  Tadouf- 
fac,  even  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day,^^^  gj^^j.  ^^  p^^^^ 
Grave  and  myfelf  fet  fail  again,  on  a  fmall  barque  of  ten  or 
tvyelve  tons'  burden.  So  alfo  Sieur  de  la  Mothe,  together 
with  Father  Jean  d'Albeau,^^^  a  friar,  and  one  of  the  clerks 
and  agent  of  the  merchants,  named  Loquin,  embarked  on  a 
little  fliallop,  and  we  fet  out  together  from  Tadouffac. 
There  remained  on  the  veffel  another  friar,  called  Father 
Modejle^'^^  together  with  the  pilot  and  mafler,  to  take  care 
of  her.  We  arrived  at  Quebec,  the  place  of  our  fettlement, 
on  the  27th  of  June  following.  Here  we  found  Fathers 
Jofeph,  Paul,  and  Pafifique,  the  friars,^^  and  Sieur  Hebert  ^i" 
with  his  family,  together  with  the  other   members  of  the 

fettlement. 

«"  They  arrived  on  St.  John's  day,  Quebec  with  his  family,  probably  in  the 

antea,  note  205,  and  confequently  this  year  161 7.     His  eldeft  daughter  Anne 

was^tiie  25th  of  June,  1618.  was    tnairied    at    Quebec  to   Eftienne 

214  V'''"    aV  ,  ^"'  ^  .  ,  Jonqueft,  a  Norman,  which  was  the  firft 

;""  Frere  Modefte  Gumes.    Vide  His-  marriage    that    took    place    with     the 

L^i  -^i  \-'\"^^'^'  P^*"  Sagard,  k  Paris,  ceremonies  of  the  Church  in  Canada. 

^°3o,  Vol.  I.  p.  40.  His  daughter  Guillemette  married  Wil- 

^"Jofeph  le  Caron,  Paul  Huet,  and  liam  CouilLird,  and  to  her  Champlain 

2^B  .^"^■^i^xl^'^^'''^-  committed  the  two  Indian  <rirls,  whom 

Louis  Hdbert, an  apothecary,  fettled  he  was  not  permitted  by  Kirke  to  take 

at   Jr-ort  Royal  in    La  Cadie  or  Nova  with  him  to  France,  when  Quebec  was 

bcotia,_  under  Foutrincourt,  was  there  cnptured  by  the  Englifli  in  1629.    Louis 

when,  in  1613,  poOemon  was  taken  in  Hebert  died  at  Queliec  on  the  acth  of 

the  name  of  Madame  de  Guercheville.  January,    1627.     /ny^oirc   du   Canada, 

He  afterward    took    up  his  abode  at  Vol.  I.  pp.  41,  591. 


Y>    I 


7 


! 

1 

( 

' 

1 

l^ 

;\ 

1 

04 


Voyages  of 


fettlemcnt.  They  were  all  well,  and  delighted  at  our  re- 
turn in  good  health  like  themlelves,  through  the  mercy  of 
God. 

The  fame  day  Sieur  du  Pont  Grave  determined  to  go  to 
Trois  Rivieres,  where  the  merchants  carried  on  their  trad- 
ing, and  to  take  with  him  fome  merchandife,  with  the 
purpofe  of  meeting  Sieur  des  Chefnes,  who  was  already 
there.  He  alio  took  with  him  Loquin,  as  before  mentioned. 
I  flayed  at  our  fettlement  fome  days,  occupying  myfelf  with 
bufmefs  relating  to  it;  among  other  things  in  building  a 
furnace  for  making  an  experiment  with  certain  aflies,  direc- 
tions for  which  had  been  given  me,  and  vvlKch  are  in  truth 
of  great  value ;  but  it  requires  labor,  diligence,  watchfulnefs 
and  fkill ;  and  for  the  working  of  thefe  aflies  a  fufficient 
number  of  men  are  needed  who  are  acquainted  with  this  art. 
This  firft  experiment  did  not  prove  fuccefsful,  and  we  pofl- 
poned  further  ♦rial  to  a  more  favorable  opportunity. 

I  vifited  the  cultivated  lands,^^"  which  I  found  planted 
with  fine  grain.  The  gardens  contained  all  kinds  of  plants, 
cabbages,  radiflies,  lettuce,  purflain,  forrel,  parfley,  and  other 
plants,  fquaflies,  cucumbers,  melons,  peas,  beans  and  other 
vegetables,  which  were  as  fine  and  forward  as  in  France. 
There  were  alfo  the  vines,  which  had  been  tranfijiunted, 
already  well  advanced.  In  a  word,  you  could  fee  evei  ytiiing 
growing  and  flourifliing.  Afide  from  God,  we  are  not  to 
give  the  praife  for  this  to  the  laborers  or  their  fkill,  for  it  is 
probable  that  not  much  is  due  to  them,  but  to  the  richnefs 
and   excellence   of   the   foil,  which  is   naturally  good  and 

adapted 

2"  Thefe  fields  were  doubtlefs  thofe    came  into  the  country  with  his  family 
of  Louis  Hubert,  who  was  the  firft  that    to  live  by  the  cultivation  of  the  foil. 


Siev.r  de  Chainplain,  205 

adapted  for  everything,  as  experience  fhows,  and  might  be 
turned  to  good  account,  not  only  for  purpofes  of  tillage  and 
the  cultivation  of  fruit-trees  and  vines,  but  alfo  for  the  nour- 
ifliment  and  rearing  of  cattle  and  fowl,  fuch  as  are  common 
m  France.  But  the  thing  lacking  is  zeal  and  affedion  for 
the  welfare  and  fervice  of  the  King. 

I  tarried  fome  time  at  Quebec,  in  expedation  of  further 
mtelligence,  when  there  arrived  a  barque  from  Tadouffac, 
which  had  been  fent  by  Sieur  du  Pont  Grave  to  get  the 
men  and  merchandife  remaining  at  that  place  on  the  before- 
mentioned  large  veffel.  Leaving  Quebec,  I  embarked  with 
them  for  Trois  Rivieres,  where  the  trading  was  going  on,  in 
order  to  fee  the  favages  and  communicate  with  them,  and 
afcertain  what  was  taking  place  refpeding  the  affaffmation 
above  fet  forth,  and  what  could  be  done  to  fettle  and  fmooth 
over  the  whole  matter. 

On  the  5th  of  July  following  I  fet  out  from  Quebec,  to- 
gether  with  Sieur  de  la  Mothe,  for  Trois  Rivieres,  both  for 
engagmg  m  traffic  and  to  fee  the  favages.  We  arrived  at 
evening  off  Sainte  Croix,^!^  a  place  on  the  way  fo  called. 
Here  we  faw  a  Ihallop  coming  ftraight  to  us,  in  which  were 
fome  men  from  Sieurs  du  Pont  Grave  and  des  Chefnes, 
and  alfo  fome  clerks  and  agents  of  the  merchants.  They 
afked  me  to  defpatch  at  once  this  fhallop  to  Quebec  for  fome 
merchandife  remaining  there,  faying  that  a  large  number  of 
favages  had  come  for  the  purpofe  of  making  war. 

This  intelligence  was  very  agreeable  to^'us,  and  in  order 
to  fatisfy  them,  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day  I  left  my 

barque 

"»  Platon.     VideVoX.  I.,  note  155. 


I]  I 


m 


<    ii 


r 


: 


i  i 


,. 


*s 


I 


•it 


W 


I- Si 


206 


Voyages  of 


barque  and  went  on  board  a  fliallop  in  order  to  go  more 
fpecdily  to  the  favages,  while  the  other,  which  had  come 
from  Trois  Rivieres,  continued  its  courfe  to  Quebec.  We 
made  fuch  progrefs  by  rowing  that  we  arrived  at  the  before- 
mentioned  place  on  the  7th  of  July  at  3  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. Upon  landing,  all  the  favages  with  whom  I  had  been 
intimate  in  their  country  recognized  me.  They  were  await- 
ing me  with  impatience,  and  came  up  to  me  very  happy  and 
delighted  to  fee  me  again,  one  after  the  other  embracing  me 
with  demonflrations  of  great  joy,  I  alfo  receiving  them  in 
the  fame  manner.  In  this  agreeable  way  was  fpent  the 
evening  and  remainder  of  this  day,  and  on  the  next  day 
the  favages  held  a  council  among  themfelves,  to  afcertain 
from  me  whether  I  would  again  affifl  them,  as  I  had  done 
in  the  paft  and  as  I  had  promifed  them,  in  their  wars  againfl 
their  enemies,  by  whom  they  are  cruelly  haraffed  and  tortured. 

Meanwhile  on  our  part  we  took  counfel  together  to  deter- 
mine what  we  fhould  do  in  the  matter  of  the  murder  of  the 
two  deceafed,  in  order  that  juftice  might  be  done,  and  that 
they  might  be  reftrained  from  committing  fuch  an  offence 
in  future. 

In  regard  to  the  affiflance  urgently  requefted  by  the  fav- 
ages for  making  war  againft  their  enemies,  I  replied  that 
my  difpofition  had  not  changed  nor  my  courage  abated,  but 
that  what  prevented  me  from  affifling  them  was  that  on  the 
previous  year,  when  the  occafion  and  opportunity  prefented, 
they  failed  me  when  the  time  came ;  becaufe  when  they  had 
promifed  to  return  with  a  good  number  of  warriors  they  did 
not  do  fo,  which  caufed  me  to  withdraw  without  accomplifh- 
ing  much.    Yet  I  told  them  the  matter  fhould  be  taken  into 

confideration, 


,^.„UM-» 


Siezir  de  Chmnplam,  207 

confideration,  but  that  for  the  prefent  it  was  proper  to  deter- 
mine what  fliould  be  done  in  regard  to  the  affaffination  of 
the  two  unfortunate  men,  and  that  fatisfadion  murt  be  had. 
Upon  this  they  left  their  council  in  feeming  anger  and  vex- 
ation about  the  matter,  offering  to  kill  the  criminals,  and 
proceed  at  once  to  their  execution,  if  affent  were  given,  and 
acknowledging  freely  among  themfelves  the  enormity  of  the 
affair. 

But  we  would  not  confent  to  this,  poflponing  our  affifl- 
ance  to  another  time,  requiring  them  to  return  to  us  the 
next  year  with  a  good  number  of  men.  I  affured  them, 
moreover,  that  I  would  entreat  the  King  to  favor  us  with 
men,  means,  and  fupplies  to  affift  them  and  enable  them 
to  enjoy  the  reft  they  longed  for,  and  viclory  over  their  ene- 
mies. At  this  they  w(  -e  greatly  pleafed,  and  thus  we 
feparated,  after  they  had  held  two  or  three  meetings  on  the 
fubje6t,  cofting  us  feveral  hours  of  time.  Two  or  three 
days  after  my  arrival  at  this  place  they  proceeded  to  make 
merry,  dance,  and  celebrate  many  great  banquets  in  view 
of  the  future  war  in  which  I  was  to  affifl  them. 

Then  I  llated  to  Sieur  da  Pont  Grave  what  I  thought 
about  this  murder;  that  it  was  dcfirable  to  make  a  greater 
demand  upon  them  ;  that  at  prefent  the  favages  woufd  dare 
not  only  to  do  the  fame  thing  again  but  what  would  be  more 
injurious  to  us ;  that  I  confidered  them  people  who  were 
governed  by  example ;  that  they  might  accufe  the  French 
of  being  wanting  in  courage  ;  that  if  we  faid  no  more  about 
the  matter  they  would  infer  that  we  were  afraid  of  them  : 
and  that  if  we  fhould  let  them  go  fo  eafily  they  would 
grow  more  infolent,  bold,  and  intolerable,  and  we  fhould  even 

thereby 


m\ 


1 

' 

1 

1 

f 

-    ii 

ri 

i    -i 

I    t! 

t/l 

■V 

I  ir 


n 


,i.' 


208 


Voyages  of 


therebj'  tempt  them  to  undertake  greater  and  more  perni- 
cious defigns.  Moreover  I  laid  that  the  other  tribes  of  fav- 
ages,  who  had  or  fliould  get  knowledge  of  this  ad,  and  tliat 
it  had  been  unrevenged,  or  compromifed  by  gifts  and  pref- 
ents,  as  is  their  cuflom,  would  boafl  that  killing  a  man  is  no 
great  matter;  fmcc  the  French  make  fo  little  account  of 
feeing  their  companions  killed  by  their  ncighbors.who  drink, 
eat,  and  affociate  intimately  with  them,  as  may  be  feen. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  in  confideration  of  the  various 
circumflances ;  namely,  that  the  favages  do  not  exercife  rea- 
fon,  that  they  are  hard  to  approach,  are  eafily  eftranged,  and 
are  very  ready  to  take  vengeance,  that,  if  we  fliould  force 
them  to  infli(5t  punifliment,  there  would  be  no  fecurity  for 
thofe  defiro'js  of  making  explorations  among  them,  we  deter- 
mined to  fettle  this  affair  in  a  friendly  manner,  and  pafs  over 
quietly  what  had  occurred,  leaving  them  to  engage  peaceably 
in  their  traffic  with  the  clerks  and  agents  of  the  merchants 
and  others  in  charge. 

Now  there  was  with  them  a  man  named  EJlicnne  Brule, 
one  of  our  interpreters,  who  had  been  living  with  them  for 
eight  years,  as  well  to  pafs  his  time  as  to  fee  the  country 
and  learn  their  language  and  mode  of  life.  He  is  the  one 
whom  I  had  defpatched  with  orders  to  go  in  the  direction 
of  the  Entouhonorons,^^^  to  Carantoiian,  in  order  to  bring 

with 

'"  Champlain  fays,  donni  charge  Carantouanais,  allies  of  the  Hurons, 
dialler  vers  les  Entouhonorons  h  Ca-  were  fduth  of  them,  occupying  appar- 
rantoilan.      By  reference   to  the   map    ently  the  upper  waters  of  the  Sufque^ 


of  1632,    it  will   be  feen  that  the  En- 
touhonorons were  fituated  on  the  fouth 


hanna.     A  clotted  line  will  be  feen  on 
the    fame   map,  evidently  intended  to 


ern  borders  of   Lake  Ontario.      They    mark    the    courfe   of    Bruld's  journey, 
were  underftood  by  Champlain  to  be  a     From    the    meagre    knowledge    which 


part  at  leaft  of  the  Iroquois;  but  the 


Champlain  poffeffed  of  the  region,  the 

line 


Siettr  de  Chaviplain. 


209 

with  him  the  five  lumdred  warriors  they  had  promifed 
to  fend  to  affifl  us  in  the  war  in  which  we  were  cngao-ed 
againft  their  enemies,  a  reference  to  which  is  made  in  the 
narrative  of  my  previous  book5°  I  called  this  man,  namely 
Ellienne  Brule',  and  afked  him  why  he  had  not  brought  the 
affiftance  of  the  five  hundred  men,  and  what  was  the  caufe 
of  the  delay,  and  why  he  had  not  rendered  me  a  report. 
Thereupon  he  gave  me  an  account  of  the  matter,  a  narra- 
tive of  which  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  to  give,  as  he  is  more 
to  be  pitied  than  blamed  on  account  of  the  misfortunes  which 
he  experienced  on  this  commilTion. 

He  proceeded  to  fay  that,  after  taking  leave  of  me  to  go 
on  his  journey  and  execute  his  commiffion,  he  fet  out  with 
the  twelve  favages  whom  I  had  given  him  for  the  purpofe 
of  fliowing  the  way,  and  to  ferve  as  an  efcort  on  account  of 
the  dangers  which  he  might  have  to  encounter.  They  were 
fuccefsful  in  reaching  the  place,  Carantoiian,  but  not  with- 
out expofing  themfelves  to  rifl^,  fince  they  had  to  pafs 
through  the  territories  of  their  enemies,  and,  in  order  to 
avoid  any  evil  defign,  purfued  a  more  fecure  route  through 
thick  and  impenetrable  forefts,  wood  and  brufii,  marfliy  bogs, 
frightful  and  unfrequented  places  and  waaes,  all  to  avoid 
danger  and  a  meeting  with  their  enemies. 

But,  in  fpite  of    this  great  care,  Brule  and   his  favage 
companions,  while  croffing  a  plain,  encountered  fome  hoftile 

favages, 

line  can  hardly  be  fuppofed  to  l^e  very  merous   canton   of   the    Five   Nations 

accurate  which  may  account  for  Ciuani-  Vuie  Continuation  of  the  NewDif^J- 

pa.ns  mdefin.te  exprdhou  as  cited  at  cry.  by   Louis  Henn-epin.   .699    n.  05  ; 

the  beginning  of  this  note.  also  OH.Mn  of  the  name  keneca  in  Mr 

nnnc    Tr           .'°"°''°"^'     Oucntouoro-  O.   H.   Marihall's    broclu.re   on    De  la 

S?H,t7.,  ""°   a"'''"^'  '"  Sonecas  con-  ^alle  among  the  Senecas,  pp.  43-45. 

Itituted  the  moft  weftern  and  moll  nu-  2;!o   Vide  antea,  p.  124. 

27 


m  t 


2IO 


Voyages  of 


'  M 


If 


favages,  who  were  returning  to  their  village  and  who  were 
furprifed  and  worfted  by  our  favages,  four  of  the  enemy 
being  killed  on  the  fpot  and  two  taken  prifoners,  whom 
Brule  and  his  companions  took  to  Carantouan,  by  the 
inhabitants  of  which  place  they  were  received  with  great 
affe6lion,  a  cordial  welcome,  and  good  cheer,  with  the 
dances  and  banquets  with  which  they  are  accuflomed  to 
entertain  and  honor  ftrangers. 

Some  days  were  fpent  in  this  friendly  reception ;  and,  after 
Brule  had  told  them  his  mifTion  and  explained  to  them  the 
occafion  of  his  journey,  the  favages  of  the  place  affembled  in 
council  to  deliberate  and  refolve  in  regard  to  fending  the 
five  hundred  warriors  afked  for  by  Brule. 

When  the  council  was  ended  and  it  was  decided  to  fend 
the  men,  orders  were  given  to  collect,  prepare,  and  arm 
them,  fo  as  to  go  and  join  us  where  we  were  encamped 
before  the  fort  and  village  of  our  enemies.  This  was  only 
three  fliort  days'  journey  from  Carantouan,  which  was  pro- 
vided with  more  than  eight  hundred  warriors,  and  ftrongly 
fortified,  after  the  manner  of  thofe  before  defcribed,  which 
have  high  and  ftrong  palifades  well  bound  and  joined  to- 
gether, the  quarters  being  conflrudled  in  a  fimilar  fafliion. 

After  it  had  been  refolved  by  the  inhabitants  of  Caran- 
toiian  to  fend  the  five  hundred  men,  thefe  were  very  long  in 
getting  ready,  although  urged  by  BrCile,  to  make  hafte,  who 
explained  to  them  that  if  they  delayed  any  longer  they 
would  not  find  us  there.  And  in  fa6l  they  did  not  fucceed 
in  arriving  until  two  days  after  our  departure  from  that 
place,  which  we  were  forced  to  abandon,  fmce  we  were  too 
weak  and  worn  by  the  inclemency  of  the  weather.     This 

caufed 


Sieur  de  Cliamplain. 


21  I 


caufed  Brule,  and  the  five  hundred  men  whom  he  broucht. 
to  withdraw  and  return  to  their  village  of  Carantouan. 
After  their  return  Brule  was  obliged  to  ftay,  and  fpcnd 
the  refl  of  the  autumn  and  all  the  winter,  for  lack  of  com- 
pany and  efcort  home.  Wiiile  awaiting,  he  bufied  himfelf 
in  exploring  the  country  and  vifiting  the  tribes  and  terri- 
tories adjacent  to  that  place,  and  in  making  a  tour  along 
a  river  221  that  debouches  in  the  diredion  of  Florida,  where 
are  many  powerful  and  warlike  nations,  carr^-ing  on  wars 
againfl:  each  other.  The  climate  there  is  very  temperate, 
and  there  are  great  numbers  of  animals  and  abrndance 
of  fmall  game.  But  to  traverfe  and  reach  thefe  regions 
requires  patience,  on  account  of  the  difficulties  involved  in 
paffing  the  extenfive  waftes. 

He  continued  his  courfe  along  the  river  as  far  as  the 
fea,2-2  and  to  iflands  and  lands  near  them,  which  are  inhab- 
ited by  various  tribes  and  large  numbers  of  favages,  who  are 
well  difpofed  and  love  the  French  above  all  other  nations. 
But  thofe  who  know  the  Dutch  "^^  complain  feverely  of  them, 
fmce  they  treat  them  very  roughly.  Among  other  things 
he  obferved  that  the  winter  was  very  temperate,  that  "it 
fnowed  very  rarely,  and  that  when  it  did  the  fnow  was  not  a 
loot  deep  and  melted  immediately. 

After  traverf?ng  the  country  and  obferving  what  was  note- 
worthy, he  returned  to  the  village  of  Carantoiian,  in  order  to 

After  fome 
flay 


find  an  efcort  for  returning  to  our  fettlement. 


52!  ?^  ^'^^''  Sufquehanna.  228  The  Dutch  fur-traders.     Vide  Hi/- 

-He  appears  to   have  gone  as  far   tory  of  the  State  of  New  York  by  John 
rvft  .f^  I'^^D  ^^  ^^®  "PP^*"  ^^^^'■s  of   Romeyn   Brodhead,    Vol.    I.   p.  44  ^r/ 


Chefapeake  Bay. 


I« 


;  I 


I 


212 


Voyages  of 


flay  at  Carantouan,  five  or  fix  of  the  favages  decided  to  make 
the  journey  with  Brule.  On  the  way  they  encountered  a 
large  number  of  their  enemies,  who  cliargcd  upon  Brule  and 
his  companions  fo  violently  that  they  caufed  them  to  break 
up  and  leparate  from  each  other,  fo  that  they  were  unable 
to  rally:  and  Brule,  who  had  kept  apart  in  the  hope  of 
cfcaping,  became  fo  detached  from  the  others  that  he  could 
not  return,  nor  find  a  road  or  fign  in  order  to  cffe6t  his 
retreat  in  any  dircdlion  whatever.  Thus  he  continued  to 
wander  through  forcfl  and  wood  for  feveral  days  without 
eating,  and  ahnoft  defpairing  of  his  life  from  the  preffure 
of  hunger.  At  laft  he  came  upon  a  little  footpath,  which  he 
determined  to  follow  w^herever  it  might  lead,  whether  toward 
the  enemy  or  not,  preferring  to  expofe  himfelf  to  their  hands 
trufling  in  God  rather  than  to  die  alone  and  in  this  wretched 
manner.  Befides  he  knew  how  to  fpeak  their  language, 
which  he   thought  might  afford  him  fome  af^flance. 

But  he  had  not  gone  a  long  diflance  when  he  difcovered 
three  favages  loaded  with  fifli  repairing  to  their  village.  He 
ran  after  them,  and,  as  he  approached,  fhouted  at  them,  as 
is  their  cuflom.  At  this  they  turned  about,  and  filled  with 
fear  were  about  to  leave  their  burden  and  flee.  But  Brule 
fpeaking  to  them  reaffured  them,  when  they  laid  down  their 
bows  and  arrows  in  fign  of  peace,  Brule  on  his  part  laying 
down  his  arms.  Moreover  he  was  weak  and  feeble,  not  hav- 
ing eaten  for  three  or  four  days.  On  coming  up  to  them, 
after  he  had  told  them  of  his  misfortune  and  the  miferable 
condition  to  which  he  had  been  reduced,  they  fmoked  to- 
gether, as  they  are  accuftomed  to  do  with  one  another  and 
their  acquaintances  when  they  vifit  each  other.     They  had 

pity 


Sieitr  dc  Champlain.  213 

pity  and  compafrion  for  him,  offering  him  every  affiflanco, 
and  conduaing  him  to  their  village,  where  they  entertained 
him  and  gave  him  fomcthing  to  cat. 

But  as  foon  as  the  people  of  the  place  were  informed  that 
an  Adorefcioi'ty  had  arrived,  for  thus  they  call  the  iM-ench, 
the  name  fignifying  men  of  iron,  they  came  in  a  ruHi  and 
in  great  numbers  to  fee  Brule.  They  took  him  to  the 
cabin  of  one  of  the  principal  chiefs,  where  he  was  inter- 
rogatcd,  and  aflced  who  he  was,  whence  he  came,  what 
circumftance  had  driven  and  led  him  to  this  place,  how 
he  had  lofl  his  way,  and  whether  he  did  not  belong  to  the 
French  nation  that  made  war  upon  them.  To  this  he 
replied  that  he  belonged  to  a  better  nation,  that  was  dcfi- 
rous  folely  of  their  acquaintance  and  fricndfliip.  Yet  they 
would  not  believe  this,  but  threw  themfelvcs  upon  him,  tore 
out  his  nails  with  their  teeth,  burnt  him  with  glowing  fire- 
brands, and  tore  out  his  beard,  hair  by  hair,  though  contrary 
to  the  will  of  the  chief. 

During  this  fit  of  paffion,  one  of  the  favages  obfervcd  an 
Agims  Dei,  which  he  had  attached  to  his  neck,  and  afked 
what  it  was  that  he  had  thus  attached  to  his  neck,  and 
was  on  the  point  of  feizing  it  and  pulling  it  off.  But  Brule 
faid  to  him,  with  refolute  words.  If  you  We  it  and  put  me 
to  death,  you  will  find  that  immediately  after  you  will  fud- 
denly  die,  and  all  thofc  of  your  houfe.  He  paid  no  attention 
however  to  this,  but  continuing  in  his  malicious  purpofe 
tried  to  fcize  the  Agims  Dei  and  tear  it  from  him,  all  of 
them  together  being  defirous  of  putting  him  to  death,  but 
previoufly  of  making  him  fuffer  o^reat  pain  and  torture,  fuch 
as  they  generally  practife  upon  taeir  enemies. 

But 


I 


■I' 
l. 

!, 


\\ 


214 


Voyages  of 


But  God,  fhowing  him  mercy,  was  pleafocl  not  to  allow 
it,  but  in  his  providence  cauled  the  heavens  to  change  fud- 
dcnly  from  the  lerene  and  fair  flatc  they  were  in  to  dark- 
ncfs,  and  to  become  filled  with  great  and  thick  clouds,  upon 
which  followed  thunders  and  lightnings  fo  violent  and  long 
continued  that  it  was  fomething  flrange  and  awful.  This 
ftorm  caufed  the  favages  llich  terror,  it  being  not  only  un- 
ufual  but  unlike  anything  they  had  ever  heard,  that  their 
attention  was  diverted  and  they  forgot  the  evil  purpofe 
they  had  towards  Brule,  their  prifoner.  They  accordingly 
left  him  without  even  unbinding  him,  as  they  did  not  dare 
to  approach  him.  This  gave  the  fufferer  an  opportunity  to 
ufe  gentle  words,  and  he  appealed  to  them  and  remon- 
flrated  with  them  on  the  harm  they  were  doing  him  without 
caufe,  and  fct  forth  to  them  how  our  C  was  enraged  at 
them  for  having  fo  abufed  him. 

The  captain  then  approached  Brule,  unbound  him,  and 
took  him  to  his  houfc,  where  he  took  care  of  him  and 
treated  his  wounds.  After  this  there  were  no  dances,  ban- 
quets, or  merry-makings  to  which  Brule  was  not  invited. 
So  after  remaining  fome  time  with  thefe  favages,  he  deter- 
mined to  proceed  towards  our  fettlement. 

Taking  leave  of  them,  he  promifed  to  reflore  them  to  har- 
mony with  the  French  and  their  enemies,  and  caufe  them 
to  fwear  friendfliip  with  each  other,  to  which  end  he  faid  he 
would  return  to  them  as  foon  as  he  could.  Thence  he  went 
to  the  country  and  village  of  the  Atinouaentans,^"*  where  I 

had 

'^'^  Attigouantans  or  Attif^naouantans.  and  the  Iroquois  were  of  the  fame 
The  principal  tribe  of  the  Hurons,  fome-  original  flock.  Vide  Vol.  I.  p.  276, 
times  called  Les  tons  Iroquois,  as  they   note  212, 


I 


Stc'ur  do  Chaviplain. 


2IS 


had  already  been ;  the  favagcs  at  his  departure  having  coii- 
ducled  him  for  a  diftance  of  four  days'  journey  from  their 
village.  Mere  Brule  remained  lome  time,  when,  refuming 
liis  journey  towards  us  he  came  by  way  of  the  Mer  Douce,"-'* 
boating  along  its  northern  fbores  for  fome  ten  days,  where 
J   had  alio  gone  when  on   my  way  to  the  war. 

And  if  Brule  had  gone  further  on  to  ex[)lore  thefc  rc- 
irions,  as  I  had  directed  him  to  do,  it  would  not  have  been 
a  mere  rumor  that  they  were  i)reparing  war  with  one  an- 
other. But  this  undertaking  was  referved  to  another  time, 
which  he  promifed  me  to  continue  and  accomplilh  in  a  fliort 
period  with  God's  grace,  and  to  conducl  me  there  that  I 
might  obtain  fuller  and  more  particular  knowledge. 

After  he  had  made  this  recital,  I  gave  him  affurance  that 
his  fervices  would  be  recognized,  and  encouraged  him  to 
continue  his  good  purpofe  until  our  return,  when  we  fliould 
have  more  abundant  means  to  do  that  with  which  he  would 
be  fatisfied.  This  is  now  the  entire  narrative  and  recital  of 
his  journey  from  the  time  he  left  me  "^'^  to  engage  in  the 

above-mentioned 


22»  Lake  Huron.  For  the  difierent 
names  wliicli  have  been  attached  to  tliis 
lake,  vide  Local  Names  of  Niagara 
Frontier,  by  Orfamus  H.  Marfliall,  iSSi, 

P-  37- 

'^-^  Brult5  was  defpritched  on  his  mif- 
fion  Sept.  8,  1615.      Vide  antca,  p.  124. 

As  we  have  already  dated  in  a  pre- 
vious note,  it  was  the  pohcy  of  Cham- 
pl.iin  to  place  competent  young  men  witli 
the  different  tribes  of  favages.  to  obtain 
that  kind  of  infurmition  "which  could 
only  come  from  an  aclual  and  prolonged 
refidence  with  them.  This  enabled  him 
to  fecure  not  only  the  mofl  accurate 
knowledge  of  thtir  domeftic  habits  and 


cufloms,  the  charafler  and  fpirit  of  \\  .ir 
life,  but  thefe  youni;  men  by  their  long 
refidence  with  the  favages  acquired  a 
good  knowledge  of  tlieir  language,  and 
were  able  to  art  as  interpreters.  This 
was  a  matter  of  vcrv  great  importance, 
as  it  was  often  necelTary  for  Cliamj-ilain 
to  communicate  with  the  different  tribes 
in  making  treaties  of  friendlhip,  indifcufT- 
ing  queflions  of  war  with  their  enemies, 
in  fettling  difagreements  among  them- 
felves.  and  in  making  arrangements  with 
them  for  the  yearly  purchafe  of  their 
peltry.  It  was  not  eafy  to  obtain  fuit- 
able  perfons  for  this  important  ofTice. 
Thofe  who  had  the  intellertual  qualifi- 
cations. 


<! 


m 


"\ 


\ 


■Hi 


2l6 


Voyages  of 


it 


'  ' 


above-mentioned  explorations ;  and  it  afforded  me  pleafure 
in  the  profpc6l  thereby  prefented  me  of  being  better  able 
to  continue  and  promote  them. 

With  this  purpofc  he  took  leave  of  me  to  return  to  the 
favages,  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  whom  had  been 
acquired  by  him  in  his  journeys  and  explorations.  I  begged 
him  to  continue  with  them  until  the  next  year,  when  I 
would  return  with  a  good  number  of  men,  both  to  reward 
him  for  his  labors,  and  to  affifl  as  in  the  paft  the  favages, 
his  friends,  in  their  wars. 

Refuming  the  thread  of  my  former  difcourfe,  I  nuft  note 
that  in  my  lail  and  preceding  voyages  and  explorations  I 
had  paffed  through  numerous  and  diverfe  tribes  of  favages 

not 


cations,  and  who  had  any  hi!a;h  afpira- 
tions,  would  not  naturally  incline  to  pafs 
years  in  the  flupid  and  detjradin^  afib- 
ciations,  to  fay  nothing  of  the  hardfliips 
and  deprivations,  of  favage  life.  They 
were  generally  therefore  adventurers, 
whofe  honefty  and  fidelity  had  no  better 
foundation  than  tlieir  felfiili  interefls. 
Of  this  fort  was  this  1-^tieune  Brfde,  as 
well  as  Nichohs  Marfolet  and  Pierre 
Raye.  all  of  wlioni  turned  traitors,  fell- 
ing tliemfelves  to  the  Englifli  when 
Quebec  was  taken  in  1629.  Of  Briild, 
Ciiamplain  ufes  the  following  emphatic 
language :  "  Le  trucliemcnt  Brufle  h  qui 
Toil  donnoit  cent  piftollcs  par  an,  pour 
inciter  les  famiages  .\  venir  ^  la  traitte, 
CO  qui  efloit  de  trcf-mauuais  exemple, 
d'enuoycr  ainfi  des  prrfonnos  fi  nahii- 
uans,  que  Ton  euft  deub  chaflier  feucro- 
ment,  car  Ton  recognoifibit  cet  homme 
pour  eflre  fort  vicieux,  &  adonni?  aux 
fenimes ;  mais  que  no  f;iit  faire  I'efpe- 
rance  du  gain,  qui  pafTo  par  demis  toutes 
confiderations."  Vide  ijfitc  0/16^2,  Que- 
bec ed.,  pp.  1065,  1229. 


But  among  Champlain's  interpreters 
there  were  doubtlefs  fonie  who  bore  a 
very  different  charafter.  Jean  Nicolet 
was  certainly  a  marked  exception.  Al- 
though Champlain  does  not  mention 
him  by  name,  he  appears  to  have  been 
in  New  France  as  early  as  1618,  where 
he  fpent  many  years  among  tlie  Algon- 
quins.  and  was  the  firfl  Frenchman  who 
penetrated  tlie  diflant  Northweft.  He 
married  into  one  of  the  mod  refpeflable 
families  of  Quebec,  and  is  often  men- 
tioned in  the  Relations  des  Jcfuites.  I^i'de 
a  brief  notice  of  him  in  /)(frovefy  and 
Exploration  of  the  Mijfijfippi  Valley^ 
by  John  Gilmary  Shea,  1852,  p.  xx.  A 
full  account  of  his  career  has  recently 
been  publiflied,  entitled  Hijiory  of  tlie 
Difcot'cry  of  the  Northnufl  by  John 
Xicolet  in  \<3'if\,  ivith  a  Sketch  of  his 
Lif\  By  C.  W.  liutterficld.  Cincin- 
nati, 18S1.  Vide  alfo  Details  fur  la  Vie 
de  Jean  A'icollet,  an  extraft  Irom  /de- 
lation des  fifitites,  1643,  in  Dkouvertes, 
etc.,  par  Pierre  Margry,  p.  49. 


not 


Sieur  de  Champlain, 


217 

not  known  to  the  French  nor  to  thofe  of  our  fettlemeiit, 
with  whom  I  had  made  alliances  and  fworn  friendfhip,  on 
condition  that  they  fliould  come  and  trade  with  us,  and  that 
I  fliould  affifl  them  in  their  wars ;  for  it  mull  be  underllood 
that  there  is  not  a  fmgle  tribe  living  in  peace,  excepting  the 
Nation   Neutre.      According  to  their  promife,  there  came 
from  the  various  tribes  of  lavages  recently  difcovered  fome 
to  trade   in  peltry,  others   to  fee  the  French  and  afcertain 
what  kind  of  treatment  and  welcome  would  be  fhown  them. 
This  encouraged  everybody,  the  French  on  the  one  hand  to 
fliow  them  cordiality  and  welcome,  for  they  honored  them 
with  fome  attentions  and  prefents,  which  the  agents  of  the 
merchants  gave  to  gratify  them ;  on  the  other  hand,  it  en- 
couraged the  ravages,  who  promifed  all  the  French  to  come 
and  live  in  future  in  friendfliip  with  them,  all  of  them  declar- 
ing  that  they  would  deport  themfelves  with  fuch  affedion 
towards  us  that  we  fliould  have  occafion  to  commend  them, 
while  we  in  like  manner  were  to  affifl  them  to  the  extent  of 
our  power  in  their  wars. 

The  trading  having  been  concluded,  and  the  favages  hav- 
ing taken  their  leave  and  departed,  we  left  Trois  Rivieres  on 
the  14th  of  July  of  this  year.  The  next  day  we  arrived  at 
our  quarters  at  Quebec,  where  the  barques  were  unloaded 
of  the  merchandife  which  had  remained  over  from  the 
traffic  and  which  was  put  in  the  warehoufe  of  the  mer- 
chants at  that  place. 

Now  Sieur  de  Pont  Grave  went  to  Tadouffac  with  the 
barques  in  order  to  load  them  and  carry  to  the  habitation 
the  provifions  neceffary  to  fupport  thofe  who  were  to  remain 
and  winter  there,  and  I  determined  while  the  barques  were 

thus 

28 


I 


ft 


11 


1  i 


ifi 


2l8 


Voyages  of  Champ  lain. 


thus  engaged  to  continue  there  for  fome  days  in  order  to 
have  the  neccffary  fortifications  and  repairs  made. 

At  my  departure  from  the  fettlement  I  took  leave  of  the 
holy  Fathers,  Sieur  de  la  Mothe,  and  all  the  others  who  were 
to  flay  there,  giving  them  to  expert  that  I  would  return,  God 
affifling,  with  a  good  number  of  families  to  people  the  coun- 
try. I  embarked  on  the  26th  of  July,  together  with  the  Fa- 
thers Paul  and  Pacifique,^^^  the  latter  having  wintered  here 
once  and  the  other  having  been  here  a  year  and  a  half, 
who  were  to  make  a  report  of  what  they  had  feen  in  the 
country  and  of  what  could  be  done  there.  We  fet  out  on 
the  day  above  mentioned  from  the  fettlement  for  Tadouf- 
fac,  where  we  were  to  embark  for  France.  We  arrived 
the  next  day  and  found  our  veffels  ready  to  fet  fail.  We 
embarked,  and  left  Tadouffac  for  France  on  the  1 3tli  of  the 
month  of  July,  161 8,  and  arrived  at  Honfleur  on  the  28th 
day  of  Auguft,  the  wind  having  been  favorable,  and  all  being 
in  good  fpirits. 

"7  Paul  Huet  and  Pacifique  du  Plef-   more  than  a  year  and  a  half,  having 
fis.    The  latter  had  been  in  New  France  arrived  in  1615.    Vide  antea,  pp.  104-5. 


I 


EXPLANATION 


OF 


TWO  GEOGRAPHICAL  MAPS  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


T  has  feemed  to  me  well  to  make  fomc  (late- 
ments  in  explanation  of  the  two  geographical 
maps.  Although  one  correfponds  to  the  other 
fo  far  as  the  harbors,  bays,  capes,  promonto- 
ries, and  rivers  extending  into  the  interior  are 
concerned,  neverthelefs  they  are  different  in  refpecl:  to  the 
bearings. 

The  fmalleft  is  in  its  true  meridian,  in  accordance  with 
the  diredions  of  Sieur  de  Caflelfranc  in  his  book  on  the 
mecometry  of  the  magnetic  needle,^'^  where  I  have  noted, 
as  will  be  feen  on  the  map,  feveral  declinations,  which  have 

been 

^^^  The  determination  of  longitudes 
has  from  the  beginning  been  environed 
with  almoft  infuperable  difficulties.  At 
one  period  the  declination  of  the  mag- 
netic needle  was  fuppofed  to  furnifli  the 
means  of  a  praftical  folution.  Sebaf- 
tian  Cabot  devoted  confiderable  atten- 
tion to  the  fubjefl,  as  did  likewife  Peter 
Plancius  at  a  later  date.     Champlain 


appears  to  have  fixed  the  longitudes  on 
his  fmaller  map  by  calculations  bafed 
on  the  variation  of  the  needle,  guided 
Iiy  the  principles  laid  down  by  Guil- 
laume  de  Nautonier,  Sieur  de  Caftel- 
franc,  to  whofe  work  he  refers  in  the 
text.  It  was  entitled,  Mccoinctne  de 
Vev7)iant,  c'e/l  a  dire  la  manicre  de  me- 
furer  les  longitudes  par  le  moyen  de 

reymant. 


%% 
1 


I'   '' 


:il 


220 


Voyages  of 


been  of  much  fervice  to  me,  fo  alfo  all  the  altitudes,  latitudes, 
and  longitudes,  from  the  forty-firfl  degree  of  latitude  to  the 
fifty-firfl:,  in  the  dire(5lion  of  the  North  Pole,  which  are  the 
confines  of  Canada,  or  the  Great  Bay,  where  more  efpecially 
the  Bafques  and  Spaniards  engage  in  the  whale  fifliery.  In 
certain  places  in  the  great  river  St.  Lawrence,  in  latitude  45°, 
I  have  obferved  the  declination  of  the  magnetic  needle,  and 
found  it  as  high  as  twenty-one  degrees,  which  is  the  greateft 
I  have  feen. 

The  fmall  map  will  ferve  very  well  for  purpofes  of  navi- 
gation, provided  the  needle  be  applied  properly  to  the  rofe^*^ 
indicating  the  points  of  the  compafs.  For  inftance,  in  ufmg 
it,  when  one  is  on  the  Grand  Bank  where  frefli  fifliing  is 
carried  on,  it  is  neceffary,  for  the  fake  of  greater  conven- 
ience, to  take  a  rofe  where  the  thirty-two  points  are  marked 
equally,  and  put  the  point  of  the  magnetic  needle  12,  15, 
or  16  degrees  from  the  Jleur  de  lis  on  the  north  weft  fide, 
which  is  nearly  a  point  and  a  half,  that  is  north  a  point 

northweft, 


Veymant.  This  rare  volume  is  not  to 
be  found,  as  far  as  my  inquiries  extend, 
in  any  of  the  incorporated  libraries  on 
this  continent.  There  is  however  a 
copy  in  the  Bodleian  Library  at  Oxford, 
to  which  in  the  catalogue  is  given  the 
bibliographical  note  :  Six  livres.  Folio. 
Toh/e,  1603. 

It  is  hardly  necefTary  to  add  that  the 
forces  governing  the  variation  of  the 
needle,  both  local  and  general,  are  fo 
inconftant  that  the  hope  of  fixing  longi- 
tudes by  it  was  long  fince  abandoned. 

The  reafon  for  the  introdudion  of  the 
explanation  of  the  maps  at  this  place 
will  be  feen  aiiteiu  p.  39- 

'^^  The  ro/e  is  the  face  or  card  of  the 
mariner's  compafs.     It  was  anciently 


called  the  Jly.  Card  may  perhaps  be 
derived  from  the  Italian  cardo,  a  thirtle, 
which  the  lace  of  the  compafs  may  be 
fuppofed  to  refemble.  On  the  com- 
plete circle  of  the  compafs  there  are 
thirty-two  lines  drawn  from  the  centre 
to  the  circumference  to  indicate  the  di- 
reftion  of  the  wind.  Each  Quarter  of 
the  circle,  or  90°,  contains  eight  lines 
reprefenting  the  points  of  the  compafs 
in  that  quarter.  They  are  named  with 
reference  to  the  cardinal  points  from 
which  they  begin,  as  :  i,  north ;  2.  north 
by  eaft  ;  3,  north-northeall ;  4,  northeaft 
by  north  ;  5,  northeaft;  6,  northeaft  by 
eaft  ;  7,  eaft-northeaft ;  8,  eaft  by  north. 
The  points  in  each  quarter  are  named 
in  a  fimilar  manner. 


_■  •iimm&mm»,^<>bi-i 


Sieur  de  Ckamplam. 


221 


northweft  or  a  little  more,  from  the  Jle?ir  dc  lis  of  faid  rofe, 
and  then  adjufl:  the  rofe  to  the  compafs.  By  this  means 
the  latitudes  of  all  the  capes,  harbors,  and  rivers  can  be 
accurately  afcertained. 

I  am  aware  that  there  are  many  who  will  not  make  ufe 
of  it,  but  will  prefer  to  run  according  to  the  large  one, 
fmce  it  is  made  according  to  the  compafs  of  France,  where 
the  magnetic  needle  varies  to  the  northeaft,  fo"  the  reafon 
that  they  are  fo  accuftomed  to  this  method  that  it  is  diffi- 
cult for  them  to  change.  For  this  reafon  I  have  prepared 
the  large  map  in  this  manner,  for  the  affiftance  of  the  ma- 
jority  of  the  pilots  and  mariners  in  the  waters  of  New 
France,  fearing  that  if  1  had  not  done  fo,  they  would  have 
afcribed  to  me  a  miftake,  not  knowing  whence  it  proceeded. 
For  the  fmall  plans  or  charts  of  Newfoundland  are,  for  the 
mofl  part,  different  in  all  their  ftatements  with  refped  to 
the  pofitions  of  the  lands  and  their  latitudes.  And  thofe 
who  may  have  fome  fmall  copies,  reafonably  good,  efleem 
them  fo  valuable  that  they  do  not  communicate  a  knowl- 
edge of  them  to  their  country,  which  might  Ov^rive  profit 
therefrom. 

Now  the  conflrudion  of  thefe  maps  is  fuch  that  they 
have  their  meridian  in  a  diredion  north-northeafl,  making 
weft  weft-northwea,  which  is  contrary  to  the  true  meridian 
of  this  place,  namely,  to  call  north-northeaft  north,  for  the 
needle  inftead  of  varying  to  the  northweft,  as  it  fhould, 
varies  to  the  northeaft  as  if  it  were  in  France.  The  con- 
fequence  of  this  is  that  error  has  refulted,  and  will  continue 
to  do  fo,  fince  this  antiquated  cuftom  is  pradifed,  which  they 
ftill  retain,  although  they  fall  into  grave  miftakes. 

They 


222 


Voyages  of 


\i 


They  alfo  make  ufe  of  a  compafs  marked  north  and  fouth  ; 
that  is,  fo  ihat  the  point  of  the  magnetic  needle  is  direcflly 
on  the  fieur  de  lis.  In  accordance  with  fiich  a  compafs 
many  conftruifi;  their  fmall  maps,  which  feems  to  me  the 
better  way,  and  fo  approach  nearer  to  the  true  meridian  of 
New  France,  than  the  compaffes  of  France  proper,  which 
point  to  the  northeafl.  It  has  come  about,  confequently,  in 
this  way  that  the  firft  navigators  who  failed  to  New  France 
thought  there  was  no  greater  deviation  in  going  to  thefe 
parts  than  to  the  Azores,  or  other  places  near  France,  where 
the  deviation  is  almoft  imperceptible  in  navigation,  the  navi- 
gators having  the  compaffes  of  France,  which  point  northeaft 
and  reprefent  the  true  meridian.  In  failing  conflantly  wefl- 
ward  with  the  purpofe  of  reaching  a  certain  latitude,  they 
laid  their  courfe  diredlly  wefl  by  their  compafs,  fuppofmg 
that  they  were  failing  on  the  one  parallel  where  they  wiflied 
to  go.  By  thus  going  conflantly  in  a  flraight  line  and  not 
in  a  circle,  as  all  the  parallels  on  the  furface  of  the  globe 
run,  they  found  after  having  traverfed  a  long  diflance,  and 
as  they  were  approaching  the  land,  that  they  were  fome 
three,  four,  or  five  degrees  farther  fouth  than  they  ought 
to  be,  thus  being  deceived  in  their  true  latitude  and  reck- 
oning. 

It  is  true,  indeed,  that,  when  the  weather  was  fair  and  the 
fun  clearly  vifible,  they  corredled  their  latitude,  but  not  with- 
out wondering  how  it  happened  that  their  courfe  was  wrong, 
which  arofe  in  confequence  of  their  failing  in  a  flraight  in- 
flead  of  a  circular  line  according  to  the  parallel,  fo  that  in 
changing  their  meridian  they  changed  with  regard  to  the 
points  of  the  compafs,  and  confequently  their  courfe.     It  is, 

therefore, 


Sieur  de  Ckmnplain. 


223 

therefore,  very  neceffary  to  know  the  meridian,  and  the  dec- 
lination of  the  magnetic  needle,  for  this  knowledge  can  fcrve 
all  navigators.  Tliis  is  cfpecially  fo  in  the  nortli  and  fouth, 
where  there  are  greater  variations  in  the  magnetic  needle, 
and  where  the  meridians  of  longitude  are  fmaller,  fo  that  the 
error,  if  the  declination  were  not  known,  would  be  greater. 
This  above-mentioned  error  has  accordingly  arifen,  bccaufe 
navigators  have  either  not  cared  to  correa  it,  or  did  not 
know  how  to  do  fo,  and  have  left  it  in  the  flate  in  which 
it  now  is.  It  is  confequently  difficult  to  abandon  this  man- 
ner of  failing  in  the  regions  of  New  France. 

This  has  led  me  to  make  this  large  map,  not  only  that  it 
might  be  more  minute  than  the  fmall  one,  but  alfo  in  order 
to  fatisfy  navigators,  who  will  thus  be  able  to  fail  as  they  do 
according  to  their  fmall  maps ;  and  they  will  excufe  me  for 
not  making  it  better  and  more  in  detail,  for  the  life  of  a 
man  is  not  long  enough  to  obferve  things  fo  exadly  that  at 
leaft  fomething  would  not  be  found  to  have  been  omitted. 
Hence  inquiring  and  pains-taking  perfons  will,  in   failing, 
obferve  things  not  to  be  found  on  this  map,  but  which  they 
can  add  to  it,  fo  that  in  the  courfe  of  time  there  will  be  no 
doubt  as  to  any  of  the  localities  indicated.     At  leaft  it  feems 
to  me  that  I  have  done  my  duty,  fo  far  as  I  could,  not  having 
failed  to  put  on  my  map  anything  that  I  have  feen,  and  thus 
giving  to  the  public  fpecial  knowledge  of  what  had  never 
been  defcribed,  nor  {o  carefully  explored  as  I  have  done  it. 
Although  in  the  pafl  others  have  written  of  thefe  things, 
yet  very  little  in  comparifon  with  what  we  have  explored 
within  the  paft  ten  years. 

MODE 


ri: 


I 

I 


ill 


( 


il 


I 

k 


11 


I  M 


m 


224 


Voyages  of 


MODE  OF  DETERMINING  A  MERIDIAN  LINE. 

AKE  a  fmall  piece  of  board,  perfcdly  level,  and 
place  in  the  middle  a  needle  C,  three  inches 
high,  fo  that  it  fhall  be  exaftly  perpendicular. 
Expofe  it  to  the  fun  before  noon,  at  8  or  9 
o'clock,  and  mark  the  point  B  at  the  end  of  the 
fliadow  caft  by  the  needle.  Then  opening  the  compaffes, 
with  one  point  on  C  and  the  other  on  the  fliadow  B,  defcribe 
an  arc  AB.  Leave  the  whole  in  this  pofition  until  afternoon 
when  you  fee  the  fhadow  juft  reaching  the  arc  at  A.  Then 
divide  equally  the  arc  AB,  and  taking  a  rule,  and  placing 
it  on  the  points  C  and  D,  draw  a  line  running  the  whole 
length  of  the  board,  which  is  not  to  be  moved  until  the 
obfervation  is  completed.  This  line  will  be  the  meridian  of 
the  place  you  are  in. 

And  in  order  to  afccrtain  the  declination  of  the  place 
where  you  are  with  reference  to  the  meridian,  place  a  com- 
pafs,  which  mufl  be  rectangular,  along  the  meridian  line,  as 
fliown  in  the  figure  above,  there  being  upon  the  card  a  circle 
divided  into  360  degrees.  Divide  the  circle  by  two  diamet- 
rical lines ;  one  reprefenting  the  north  and  fouth,  as  indi- 
cated by  EF,  the  other  the  eaft  and  weft,  as  indicated  by 
GH.  Then  obferve  the  magnetic  needle  turning  on  its 
pivot  upon  the  card,  and  you  will  fee  how  much  it  deviates 
from  the  fixed  meridian  line  upon  the  card,  and  how  m^ny 


degrees  it  varies  to  the  northeaft  or  northweft. 


CHAMPLAIN'S 


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Sietcr  dc  Champlain. 


22$ 


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CHAMPLAIN'S   LARGE   MAP. 

GEOGRAPHICAL  CHART  OF  NEW  FRANCE,  MADE  HY  SIEUR 
DE  CHAMPLAIN  OF  SAINTONGE,  CAPTAIN  IN  ORDINARY 
FOR  THE  KING  IN  THE  MARINE.  MADE  IN  THE  YEAR 
1612, 

HAVE  made  this  map  for  the  greater  conven- 
ience of  the  majority  of  thofc  who  navigate  on 
thcfe  coafts,  fmce  they  fail  to  that  country  ac- 
cording to  compaflcs  arranged  for  the  hemi- 
fphere  of  Afia.  And  if  I  had  made  it  Hke  the 
fmall  one,  the  majority  would  not  have  been  able  to  ufe  it, 
owing  to  their  not  knowing  the  declinations  of  the  needle.^^*^ 

Obferve  that  on  the  prefent  map  north-northeaft  ftands 
for  north,  and  weft-northwefl:  for  weft;  according  to  which 
one  is  to  be  guided  in  afcertaining  the  elevation  of  the 
degrees  of  latitude,  as  if  thefe  points  were  adually  eaft  and 
weft,  north  and  fouth,  fmce  the  map  is  conftrucled  according 
to  the  compaffes  of  France,  which  vary  to  the  northeaft.^' 

SOME   DECLINATIONS   OF   THE   MAGNETIC   NEEDLE, 

WHICH   I   HAVF,   CAREFULLY   OBSERVED. 


Cap  Breton 14 

Cap  de  la  Heve 


so' 


16^^  15' 


Baye  Ste.  Marie  .     .     .     .     1 7°  1 6' 

Port  Royal 17°    8' 

En  la  grande  R.  St.  Laurent         21° 

All  obferved  by  Sieur  de  Champlain,  16 12 


St.  Croix 17°  32' 

Riviere  de  Norumbegue    ,  18°  40' 

Quinibequi 19°  12' 

Mallebarre 18°  40' 


References 


^'o  The  above   title  is   on  the  large        asi  por  tliis  note  fee  the  upper  right- 
map  of  161 2.     I  his  note  is  on  the  upper    hand  corner  of  the  map. 
left-hand  corner  of  the  fame  map. 

29 


''I 

i 


if 


226 


Voyages  of 


REFERENCES  ON  CHAMPLAIN'S  LARGE  MAP. 

A.    I'ort  I'ortunu. 
Ji.    Uayc  Blanche. 

C.  llayi:  avix  Illes. 

D.  Cap  dcs  J  lies. 

E.  Purl  aux  I  lies. 
/:    I  lie  Haute. 
G.  I  lie  lies  Monts  Deferts. 
//.  Cap  Coriieille. 
/.    Illes  aux  ( )ircaux 
A'.  Cap  des  l)eux  Hayes. 
L.    Port  aux  Mines. 
M.  Cap  I'ourchu. 
iV.  Cap  Negre. 
O.  Port  du  Roffignol. 
P.    St.  Laurent. 
Q.  Riviere  de  I'lfle  Verte. 
R    Paye  Saine. 
S.    Rivii-re  Saintc  Marguerite. 
T.  Port  Sainte  H61>-Me. 
V.  I  lie  des  Martires. 
X.  Ides  Rangc'es. 

Y.   Port  de  Savalctte. 
Z.   Paffage  du  Glas. 

Note.  —  The  reader  will  obferve  that  in  a  few  inftances  the  references  are 
wanting  on  the  map. 

CHAMPLAIN'S 


I. 

Port  aux  Anglois. 

2. 

Paye  Courante. 

3- 

Cap  de  Poutrincourt. 

4- 

Ille  Cravee. 

5- 

Paffage  Courant. 

6. 

Paye  ile  Gennes. 

7- 

Ille  Perdue. 

8. 

Cap  des  Mines. 

9- 

Port  aux  Coquilles. 

ID. 

Illes  Jumclles. 

I  I. 

Cap  Saint  Jean. 

12. 

Ille  la  Nef. 

13- 

La  Hcronnicirc  Ifle. 

14. 

Illes  Rangees. 

15- 

Baye  Saint  Luc. 

16. 

Paffage  du  Gas. 

17- 

Cote  de  Montmorency 

18. 

Riviere  de  Champlain. 

19. 

Riviere  Sainte  Marie. 

20. 

Ifle  d'Orl^ans. 

21. 

Ifle  de  Bacchus. 

;;! 


Sieur  de  Champlain, 


2  2  7 


CHAMPLAIN'S  NOTE  TO  THE  SMALL  ^\\V. 


\ 


are 


[N'S 


N  the  fmall  map'^*'*  Is  added  the  llrait  above  La- 
brador between  the  fifty-third  and  fixty-third 
degrees  of  latitude,  whicii  the  Englifh  have  cHl- 
covered  duing  the  prefent  year  1612,  in  their 
voyage  to  find,  if  |)ofrible,  a  paflage  to  China 
by  way  of  the  north.'"^  They  wintered  at  a  jjlace  indicated 
by  this  mark,  e.  But  it  was  not  without  enduring  fevere 
cold,  and  they  were  obliged  to  return  to  England,  leaving 
their  leader  in  the  northern  regions.  Within  fix  months 
three  other  veffels  have  let  out,  to  penetrate,  if  poffible,  flill 
farther,  and,  at  the  fame  time,  to  fearch  for  the  men  who 
were  left  in  that  region. 


!"'  In  Champlain's  ilTue  in  1613,  the 
note  here  given  was  placed  in  the  pre- 
liminary matter  to  that  volume.  It  was 
placed  there  probably  after  the  reft  of 
the  work  had  gone  to  prefs.  We  have 
placed  it  here  in  connedion  with  other 
matter  relating  to  the  maps,  wiiere  it 
feems  more  proptrly  to  belong. 

288  This  refers  to  the  fourth  voyage 
of  Henry  Hudfon,  made  in  16 10,  for 
the  purpofe  here  indicated.  He  pene- 
trated Lomley's  Inlet,  hoping  to  find  a 
pafTage  through  to  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
or,  as  it  was  then  called,  the  South  Sea, 
and  thus  find  a  direft  and  fhorter  courfe 
to  China.  He  paffcd  the  winter  at  about 
52°  north  latitude,  in  that  expanfe  of 
water  which  has  ever  fince  been  appro- 
priately known  as  Hudfon's  Bay.  A 
mutiny  having  broken  out  among  his 
crew,  he  and  eight  others  having  been 
forced  into  a  fmall  boat,  on  the  2ifl  of 
June,  1611,  were  fet  adrift  on  the  fea, 
and  were  never  heard  of  afterward. 


GEOGR.AI'HICAL 

A  p.art  of  the  mutinous  crew  arrived 
with  the  fhip  in  England,  and  were  im- 
mediately thrown  into  prifon.  The  fol- 
lowing year,  1612,  an  expedition  under 
Sir  Thomas  lUitton  was  fent  out  to  feck 
for  Hudfon,  and  to  profecute  the  fearch 
flill  further  for  a  northwell  palTage.  It 
is  needlefs  to  add  that  the  fearch  was 
unfuccefsful. 

A  chart  by  Hudfon  fortunately  efcaped 
deftru(5lion  by  the  mutineers.  .Singu- 
larly enouijh,  an  engraving  of  it,  en- 
titled, T.\i!^'i,A  Navtic.a,  was  |)ul)linied 
by  IlelTel  Gerritz  at  Amftcrdam  the 
fame  year.  Champlain  incorporated  the 
part  of  it  illuftrating  Hudfon's  difcovery 
in  his  fmaller  map,  which  is  dated  the 
fame  year,  161 2.  He  does  not  intro- 
duce it  into  his  large  map,  aItliou'.^h  that 
is  dated  likewife  161 2.  A  fac-fimile  o£ 
the  Tabula  Nautica  is  given  in  Henry 
Hudjoit  the  Nat'iaator^  by  G.  M. 
Afher,  LL.D  .  publifhed  by  the  Hak- 
luyt  .Society  in  i860. 


«i 


I 


228 


Voyages  of  Champlain, 


GEOGRAPHICAL  MAP  OF   NEW   FRANCE,   IN   ITS  TRUE 

MERIDIAN. 

Made  by  Sieur  Champlain^  Captain  for  the  King  in  the  Marine.    1613. 


a  '^ 


i  ■(' . 


Hfi 


h  ! 


♦0 

Matou-ouefcariny.  i. 

R. 

Port  ail  Mouton, 

6 

Gafpay. 

S. 

Port  du  Rofllgnol.  6. 

00 

Ouefcariny.  2. 

ss. 

Lac  de  Medicis.  7. 

0-0 

Quenongebin.  3. 

T. 

Sefambre. 

A. 

Tadouffac. 

V. 

Cap  des  Deux  Bayes. 

B. 

Lefquemain. 

3- 

L'Ifle  aux  Coudres. 

C. 

I  fie  Percue. 

4. 

Sainde  Croix.  8. 

D. 

Baye  de  Chaleur. 

4- 

Riviere  des  Etechemins 

E. 

Ifles  aux  Gros  Yeux.  4. 

5- 

Sault.  ID. 

H. 

Baye  Fran9oife. 

6. 

Lac  Saind  Pierre. 

I. 

Ifles  aux  Oyfeaux. 

7- 

Riviere  des  Yroquois. 

L. 

Riviere  des  Etechemins.  5. 

9- 

Ifle  aux  Lieures. 

M. 

Menane. 

10. 

Riviere  Platte.    11. 

N. 

Port  Royal. 

II. 

Mantane.    12. 

P. 

Ifle  Longue. 

40. 

Cap  Sainde  Marie.    13 

Q' 

Cap  Fourchu, 

I.  This  figure  is  inverted  on  the  map.  Vide  antea,  note  59,  p.  62  2.  Vide 
antca,  note  47,  pp.  59,  81.  The  figure  00  is  mifplaced  and  fliould  be  where  0-0 
is  on  the  map,  on  the  extreme  weftern  border  near  the  forty-feventh  degree  of 
north  latitude.  3.  This  figure  0-0  on  the  map  occupies  the  place  which  fliould 
be  occupied  bv  cc  .  Vide  anlea,  p.  58,  note  46.  4.  A  clufter  of  iflands  of  which 
the  Iiiand  of  Birds  is  one.  5.  This  letter,  placed  between  the  River  St.  John  and 
the  St.  Croix,  refers  to  the  latter.  6.  The  letter  S  appears  twice  on  the  coaft  of 
La  Cadie.  The  one  here  referred  to  is  the  more  wefterly.  7.  This  reference  is 
probably  to  the  Lake  of  Two  Mountains,  which  will  be  feen  on  the  map  weft  of 
Montreal.  8.  St  Croix  on  the  map  is  where  a  crofs  furmounted  by  the  figure  4 
maybe  feen.  9.  This  appears  to  refer  to  the  Chaudi^re.  Vide\o\.  I.  p.  296. 
10.  This  refers  to  the  Falls  of  Montmorency.  11.  A  fmall  river  flowing  into 
Mai  Bay.  Vide  Vol.  I.  p.  295;  alfo  Les  Voyages  de  Champlain,  Quebec  ed., 
p.  1099.  12.  Vide  Vol.  I.  p.  234.  13.  The  figures  are  wanting.  Cape  St.  Mary 
IS  on  the  fouthern  coaft  of  Newfoundland.     Vide  Vol.  I.  p.  232. 


Vide 


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11 


INDEX. 


A. 


Adorefetoiiy,  213. 

Agnus  Dei,  213. 

Algonquins,  9,  10,  20,  21,  22,  30,  31, 
35,  5'»  52,  55.  58.  59.  7^,  8j.  82,  112, 
113,  114,  121,  144,  149,  150,  151,  153, 
>54.  155.  165,  166,  216. 

Alo-onquins,  Little  Nation  of,  59. 

Algonquins,  River  of,  52,  55. 

Alix,  Marguerite,  189. 

All  Devils'  Point,  47. 

Allumette  Ifland,  58,  62,  69,  78,81,  112. 

Allumette  Lake,  69. 

Almouchiquois,  159. 

Alvert,  34. 

Amlierll  Illarifl,  125,  127. 

Ainflerdam,  227. 

Anadabijou,  31. 

Ange,  Sieur  L',  47,  50,  84,  87. 

Antelope,  .86. 

Antouhonorons,  161. 

Argall,  Capt.  Samuel,  190. 

Aronadabigeau,  31. 

Arveft,  34. 

Aflier,  G.  M.,  54,  227. 
Afli  Wednefday,  177. 
Afia,  225. 


Afiftaguerouon,  146. 

AlTaffination  of  two  Frenchmen,  192. 

Affitagueronon,  146. 

Aflbciation,  192,  201. 

Aft'-ou,  61. 

Aftioiabe,  64-66. 

Atinouaentans,  214. 

Atlas,  Walker  and  Miles,  64. 

Atfiftaehronons,  146. 

Attignaouentans,  117. 

Attignouaatitans,  145   149. 

Attigouautan  Lake,  115,  116. 

Attigouautans,  117,  123,  131,  149,  155, 

157.  159.  214. 
Attihouandaron,  146. 
Attiouandaronk,  146. 
Azores,  222. 


6. 

Baldwin.  C.  C,  145,  146. 
Barnes,  A.  S.,  66. 
Barren  Grounds,  151. 
Bafques,  220. 
Batifcan,  Indian  chief,  10. 
Baye  aux  Ifles,  226. 
Bave  Blanche,  226. 


♦' 


< 


■ 


1 


(II 


14.    ' 


;>i 


0  2'^ 

-0- 


Index, 


Hayc  Clialciir,  228. 

liaye  Cour.inte,  226. 

IJaye  do  tienncs,  226. 

IJayc  Francois,  228. 

15aye  Saint  Luc,  226. 

liaye  Ste.  Marie,  225. 

15eans,  162.  164. 

Bears,  157,  i()4,  166. 

Ik'anchainc,  201. 

lieanlieu,  Sieur  de.  44. 

Beavers,  157. 

Beaches,  120. 

Belle  Ilk,  34. 

Bellin.  12,  54. 

Befouat,  fuS. 

liiard,  I'ierre,  49.  190. 

Bienc(nirt.  Charles  de,  8. 

Bi^elow.  Jacob,  M.l)..  t20. 

Birds,  llland  of,  22S. 

Bifon.  American,  151. 

Bl.aiirave,  M.,  i£. 

BKieberriLS,  113.  115.  116,  162. 

Blundevilie,  Thomas,  66. 

Bodleian  Lii)rary,  220. 

Bouchette.  Jofeph,  12,  69,  117. 

rM)ulK'.  I'.uUache.  14,  1S9. 

BoulK',  rsicholar,.  189. 

BourbtJn,  Henri  de,  42.  45,  46. 

Bouyer,  27.  28.  30.  48. 

Bradford,  Governor  William,  162. 

Bretaijne,  175. 

BrifTac,  Marflial  de,  54. 

Brittany.  34.  160. 

Brodhead,  John  Romeyn,  122,  211. 

llron.ijje.  loi,  103. 

Brulo,    Kllienne,    in,    112,   124,  2od- 

216. 
PirufTi,  Rapide  de,  56. 
BufTalo.  city  of,  64,  65. 
Buffaloes,  151,  157. 


I'urials,  Indian,  69,  70. 
Butterheld,  C.  W.,  146,  216. 
Button,  Sir  Thomas,  227. 


C. 


Cabot,  Sebaftian,  219. 

Cadie,  La,  228. 

Cahiagui?.  iig,  i2t,  144. 

CalliL-re.s  Bonnevue,  Louis  Heftor,  13. 

Canada,   13,  37,  4S,  79.  85,  loi,  104, 

113,  119,  120,  13S,  166,  195,  220. 
Canada,  Hiflory  of,  60. 
Canaries,  53. 
Canfeau,  6,  8, 
Cap  Corneille,  226. 
Cap  de  1,1  H^ve,  225. 
Cap  dc  I'outrincourt,  226. 
Cap  de  Raye.  47. 
Cap  dcs  Deux  Bayes,  226,  228. 
Cap  dos  Ifles.  226. 
Cap  des  Mine. .  226. 
Cape  Breton.  5-7,  47,  159,  225. 
Cape  iJreton  I  (land,  6. 
Cape  St.  Lawrence,  8. 
Cape  T'lurmente.  193. 
Cape  Raye,  5,  8,  47. 
Cap  Fourchu,  226,  228. 
Cap  NC;c;re.  226. 
Cap  Saint  Jean,  226. 
Cap  Saindc  Marie,  228. 
Carantoiian,  184,  208-212. 
Carantouanais,  122,  133,  208. 
Carhagouha,  118,  119,  144. 
Caribou,  13,  85,  157. 
Carmaron,  n8 
Caron,  Jofeph  le,  Father,  104, 106, 107, 

no,  ni,  n8,  144,186,  187,  200,202, 

203. 


^>,<5_ 


Index, 


'2''hl 


Carte  de  I'Ifle  de  Montreal,  i?. 

C.inier,  Jacques,  12.  37,  38,  48,  49. 

CaftcUranc,  Sicur  de,  219. 

Cataraqui  Creek,  IJ7. 

Caton,  John  Dean,  86. 

Cavalier.  130. 

Cemeteries,  Indian,  69,  70. 

Cervus  family,  85. 

Cefcaud,  De,  97. 

Champlain,  Samuel  de,  his  voyage  to 
New  France  and  its  dangers,  i-io  ; 
departure  from  Quebec  to  the  Falls 
of  St.  Louis,  and  conference  with  the 
favages  ;  feeks  out  a  place  for  a  fet- 
tlement,  10-19;  interviews  witii  the 
favages,  19-33  \  5''''  return  to  France  ; 
affairs  of  tlie  AlTociation,  34-38 ; 
dedication  of  his  journal  to  the  I'rince 
de  Condt^  42;  obtains  his  commif- 
fion  amid  oppofuion.  43-47;  returns 
to  New  France  and  goes  to  the  Falls 
of  St.  Louis,  47-52  ;  his  exploration 
of  the  Ottawa  in  fearch  of  the  North 
Sea,  under  the  falfe  flatements  of 
Nicholas  de  V'ignau,  52-87;  return 
to  France,  87;  dedication  of  publi- 
cation of  1619  to  the  King,  and  pref- 
ace to  the  fame,  91-95  ;  his  intro- 
duflion  of  miffionaries  into  New 
France,  99-105;  his  preparations 
and  explor.itions  among  the  favage 
tribes  on  the  Ottawa  Lake  Nipiflnig; 
the  Hurons  and  other  tribes,  his  de- 
fcription  of  the  manners  and  cuf- 
toms  of  die  Indians,  his  journey  to 
weftern  New  York  and  attack  of  an 
Iroquois  fort,  return  to  Canada, 
deer  hunt,  winter  in  Sinicoe  County 
,with  the  Hurons  and  incidents  of 
the   winter,   and   his  eflay  on    the 


char.after,  habits,  and  cuitoms  of  the 
Indi.uis  ;  return  tu  France.  'ofi-iSS; 
his  voyage  of  1618,  the  murder  of 
two  Frenchmen  by  the  f.ivages,  the 
dillicully  of  ijunilhing  the  criminals, 
iSf)-2oS  ;  lie  receives  the  account  of 
Ctitnne  Brule  among  tlu'  lavages 
ofthefouthern  borders  of  New  York, 
and  among  the  Iroquois.  208-216; 
he  returns  again  to  France,  216- 
218. 

Chapoiiin,  Rev,  Father,  103. 

Charioqunis,  19,  30. 

Charlevoix,  F>an(^ois  Xavier,  12,  13,49, 
1 13.  1 19.  126,  1:7,  130. 

Chateauguay  River,  55. 

Chats.  Nation  des,  62. 

Chaucer.  Ceoflrey,  66. 

Cliaudiore,  228. 

Chaudicre  Falls.  60,  61,  S3. 

Chaudiere  Lake,  61. 

Cherries,  120. 

Cheveux  Relev^is,  115,  146,  148,  149. 

Chefapeake  D.iy,  21 1. 

Chcfnes,  Sieur  des,  191,  20a,  205. 

China,  227. 

Chomouchouan,  River,  113. 

Chouontouaroiion,  123. 

Chrillian,  29,  123. 

Clark,  Gen.  John  S.,  122. 

Collet,  Claude,  89.  97. 

Columbia,  Britif!i,  86. 

Conde,  Prince  de,  41,  43-  84,  loo,  I03, 
104. 

Cote  de  Montmorency.  226. 

Coues,  Elliott.  Dr.,  49.  126,  127. 

Couillard,  William,  203. 

Crab-apple,  120. 

Cranes,  126,  137. 

Croix,  Sainte,  Ifland  of,  63. 


30 


^ 


1 


234  Index. 


II 


4l 


i'l 


1 


% 


Crofs,  planted,  63,  80,  1 18. 
Crofs,  Rev.  James,  D.D.,  128. 


D. 


Dances,  174,  175. 

DAvezac,  49. 

D  Arontal,  Indian  chief,  137,  142,  185, 

186. 
Dedication  to  the  King,  91-93. 
Deer,  85,  157. 

De  Monts,  Sieur,  15,  34,  35,  44,  187. 
Denis,  Father,  Jamay,   104,   106,  107, 

I  ID,    II  I. 

Docs,  157. 

Dogs,  104. 

Dominion  of  Canada,  64. 

Ducks,  137. 

Dutch,  122,  123,  211. 


E. 


Elk.  85,  157. 

Elms,  120. 

England,  66,  227. 

Englifh.  52,  53,  IT,  78,  190,  216,  227. 

Entouhonorons,    122.     123,    125,    127, 

128,   136,  148,  208,  209. 
Epicerinys,  137, 
Europe,  13,  48. 


F. 


Fall  of  the  Rideau,  60. 

Falls  of  St.  Louis  9,  16,  38,  51.  52,  55. 
59,  70,  71,  72,  73.  80,  83,  84,  87,  106, 
107,  109,  112,  185,  186,  187. 


Fauquets,  190. 

Ferri^re,  La,  196,  197. 

Ferro,  Uland  of,  53. 

Fitz  Roy.  62. 

Five  Nations,  122,  209. 

Flamens,  122. 

Florida,  22,  68.  211,  214,  217. 

Fontainebleau,  35. 

Foxes,  157. 

France,  2,  8,  9,  12,  13,  19,  20,  25,  34, 

37.  43-45.  48,  54, 63.  80,  87,  102, 113, 

120,  126,  157,  186,  202,203,205,218, 

221,  222,  225. 
France,  Arms  of,  63,  80. 
Frenchmen,  21,  23,  24,  55,  58,  59,  73, 

82.  Ill,  160,  184,  195,  196,  197,  199, 

202,  207,  io8,  211,  2i6. 
French  River,  1 15. 
Frihus,  Gemma,  66. 


G. 

Gafpay,  228. 

Gafpd,  8,  87. 

Gatineau  River,  59. 

Gens  de  Feu,  146,  148. 

Geographical  Map,  219. 

Georges,  Sieur,  54. 

(korgian  Bay,  117,  146. 

Gerrits,  HeiTel,  227. 

Goofe.  49,  138. 

Gould's  Landing,  81. 

Grand  Bank,  i,  2,  47,  87,  190,  220. 

Grand  Saut,  Le,  17. 

Grand  Saut  S.  Louys,  17,  18. 

Grapes,  119,  125. 

Gray,  Afa,  120. 

Great  Britain,  66. 

Green  Ifland,  60. 

Greig,  12. 


Index. 


235 


Groufe,  120. 

Guerchville,  Marchionefs  de,  203. 

Guines,  Modefle,  203. 

H. 

Hadley,  John,  66. 

Hague,  The,  54. 

Hakluyt  Society,  54,  227., 

Hares,  120. 

Hubert,  Anne,  203. 

Hdhert,  Guillemette,  203. 

Herbert,  Louis,  203,  204. 

Hennepin,  Louis,  209. 

Henry  IV.,  54. 

Heronniorre,  La  Ifle,  226. 

Heron  I  (land,  16,  18. 

Herons.  15. 

Honfltnir.  i,  8,  47,  104,  105,  187,  189, 
190,  218. 

Hontan.  Baron  La,  49. 

Hoiiel,  Sieur,  loi,  102,  103. 

Hudfon's  Bay,  54,  151,  227. 

Hudlbn,  Henry.  53,  54,  227. 

Hudfon  River,  122. 

Huet,  Paul,  203,  218. 

Huron,  Lake,  1 16,  160. 

Hurons,  46,  49,  62,  68,  69,  116,  117, 
137,  143,  145,  148,  149.  160  ;  country, 
extent  of,  156,  157,  208,  214. 

I. 

Icefloes,  1-8. 

India,  54. 

Indian,  26,  55,  117. 

Indian  corn,  62,  119,  147,  157,  161-165, 
167,  170. 

Indians,  iiieir  feafts,  26;  cabins,  160, 
161  ;  villages,  161  ,  drefs,  165  ;  wo- 
men, their  occupation.  167.  t68,  178  ; 


fifhing-nets,  167;  marriai^es,  167-169. 
178;  chiklren,  170;  law,  171  ;  great 
quarrel,  149-156;  food,  162-164;  reli- 
gion, 171-174;  ruicncCs  and  method 
of  treatmen;  174-177;  agriculture, 
177  ;  mode  of  government,  17S-180  ; 
dances,  174,  175,  i8o,  181  ;  burial  of 
tlie  dead,  32,  1S0-182  ;  occupation  in 
winter,  182,  183;  feafts,  182  :  filliing 
with  nets,  1S3,  184. 

Indies,  9,  12. 

Iroquet,  or  Yroquet,  19,  25,  28,  30,  144, 

I49i  150- 
Iroqouis,  12,21,22,28,48,  56,60,  in. 

121-123,  128,  144,  147, 148,  208,  214. 
Iroquois,  River  of.  15. 
I  lie  aux  Coudres,  228. 
I  lie  aux  Lieures,  228. 
Ifle  de  Bacchus,  226. 
Ifle  de  Sainte  Holcne,  14.  18,  32,  55. 
Ille  des  M;irtires.  226. 
Ifle  des  Monts  Deferts.  226. 
Ifle  d'Orleans,  193,  226. 
Ifle  Gravce.  226. 
Ifle  Haute,  226. 
Ifle  La  Ileronnicrre,  226. 
Ifle  La  x\ef,  226. 
Ifle  Longue,  228. 
Ifle  Penfce,  87,  191,  228. 
Ifle  Perdue,  226. 
Ifles  aux  Gros  Yeux,  228. 
Ifles  aux  Oiseaux,  226,  228. 
Ifles  Jumelles,  226. 
Ifles  Rangdes,  226. 
Ifles  Ranges,  226. 


J. 

Jamay,  Father  Denis,  104,  106,  m, 
186. 


1 


11 


111:: 


I: 


iv 


236 


Index. 


Jean,  D'OIbeau.  104,  106,  no. 
Jeannin.  I'refulent,  44,  54. 
Jefuit  Fathers,  1 17. 
Jcunc,  Le.  4<). 
JonqiielL  Kllienne,  203. 
Jofeph,  Father,  le  Caron,  104,  106, 107, 
110,  III,  118. 


K. 

Kahn,  Peter,  i66,  190. 
Kliidnontateronons,  145. 
Kichefipirini,  i  iz. 
Kinglton,  143. 
Kinounchepirini,  5S. 
Kirillinon,  1 15. 
Kirke,  Sir  David,  203. 
Kotakoutoucmi.  liz. 


L. 


Labrador,  53,  159,  227. 
La  Cadie,  159,  190,  203,  228. 
Lac  aux  Claies.  124. 
Lac  de  Medicis,  228. 
Lac  des  Entouhonorons,  122. 
Lac  de  SoilTons,  56. 
Lac  du  Talon,  113. 
Lachine  Rapids,  9. 
Lac  la  Tortue,  113. 
Lac  Saint  Pierre,  228. 
Lake  Couchiching,  123,  124,  160. 
Lake  des  Chats.  62. 
Lake  des  Ifles.  59. 
Lake  Erie,  146. 

Lake  Huron,  116,  117,  146,  160,  215. 
Lake  NipiiTing,  14.  55,  74,  115. 
Lake  Ontario,  122,  125,  128,  139,  143, 
208. 


Lake  St.  John,  113. 

Lake  .St.  Louis,  55. 

Lake  Simcoe,  123,  124,  160. 

Lake  Simon,  59. 

Lake  Winnipeg,  119,  151. 

Laltni.int,  Pcre  Ilierofme,  117. 

Laverdicre,  12,  16,  44,  54,  59,  68,  87, 

102,  104,  106,  113,  124,  146,  160. 
L.arks,  13S. 
Lent,  113,  164,  177. 
Lefcarbot,  48,  50. 

Lcldiguiercs,  Dutchefs  of,  13,49,  119. 
Lef(iuemain,  228. 
Liccnfe  of  the  King,  97. 
Linna;us,  166,  190. 
Little  River,  12. 
Little  Salmon  River,  127. 
Lomley's  Inlet,  227. 
London,  190. 
Long  Fall,  56. 
Long  Lake,  59. 
Loquin,  203,  204. 
Loughborough  Lake,  137. 
Louis,  his  death,  15-17. 
Lower  Charente,  35. 
Lynxes,  13. 


M. 


IVLadawalka  River,  62. 

IVLagazine  of  American  Histon/,  65,  66. 

^Lagnetic  Needle,  declinations  of,  225. 

Maifonneuve,  Sieur  de,  84,  87. 

ALaize,  69,  145. 

Mai  Bay,  228. 

Mallebarre,  225. 

Manitous,  171. 

Mantane,  228. 

Mantelet,  no. 

Mardi-gras.  177,  183. 


Indi 


ex. 


'-Z7 


M.'irennes,  34. 

Margry,  I'ierre,  216. 

laariners'  Compafs,  220,  222,  225. 

Marfhall,  O.  II.,  64,  66,  209,  215. 

Marfnlet,  Nicolas,  216. 

iMasf  outins,  146. 

Malki)UltMis,  146. 

.Mataouclikarini,  62. 

MalLhe<|.i(li  Hay,  117. 

Matou-oiiefcarini,  62. 

Matou-ouefcariny.  ^28. 

Mattawa,  113. 

Mattawan  River,  113,  114. 

May-apple,  120. 

Mecometry,  219. 

Medicls,  Lac  de,  228. 

Menane,  228. 

Mer  Douce,  117,  124,  147,  157,  160, 

215. 
Meridian  Line,  224. 
Mexico,  86. 

Migan,  Indian  food,  162,  163,  177. 
Minxes,  157. 

Miffirfippi  Valley,  216.    ^ 
Mitchitamou,  1 15. 
Moinerie,  Sicur  de,  50. 
Montagnais,   15,  20,  3 1,  47,  II3,   ri4, 

166,  191,  196. 
Montmorency,  Cote  de,  226. 
Montmorency,  Falls  of,  228. 
Montmorency,  Henri  de,  54. 
Montreal,  9,  12,  66,  69,  81,  228. 
Mont  Royal,  11,  1 8. 
Moofe,  13,  85,  157. 
Mothe,  Nicolas  De  la,  189,  203,  205, 

218. 
Mount  Defert,  190. 
Mufk-Ox,  151. 
Mufkrat  Lake,  64,  69,  81. 


N. 

Nation  des  Chats,  62. 

Nautonier,  (iuillaume  de,  219. 

Nebicenni,  55,  72,  75,  76. 

Necklaces,  149,  150. 

Neutral    Nation,  or.  Nation    Neutre, 

122,  145,  146,  14S,  217. 
New  IJrunfwick,  85. 
New  England,  49,  120,  162. 
Newfoundland,  47,  159,  221,  228. 
New  France,  36,  39,  41-43.  49,  50,  81, 

91.  95.  97,  99,  '00,  104,  113,  122.  r56, 

189,  190,  216,  218,  222,  223,  228. 
New  York,  128. 
Niagara,  215. 
Nibachis,  66,  68. 
Nicholet,  John,  or  Jean,  146,  216. 
Nipificrinii,  1 13. 
Nipiffmgs,  72,  113,  115,  121,  148,150, 

165. 
Nipiffirini,  1 13. 

Normandy,  47,  50,  51,  187,  192. 
North  Sea,  42,  52,  54,  74,  78. 
Norumbegue,  Riviere  de,  225. 
Nova  Scotia,  85,  203. 
Nuncio,  Sieur,  102. 
Nuts,  120,  125, 


Oaks,  120. 

O'Callaghan.  E.B.,  122. 

Ochnteguain,  133. 

Ochateguins,  19,  35,  46,  55,  67,  68,  78. 

Ohio,  145. 

Olbeau,  Jean  d',  104, 106,  no,  187,  203. 

Oloiiacha,  117. 

Oneida  Lake,  128. 

Oneida  River,  128. 


41 


238 


Indi 


ex. 


X   i 


; 


i 


ii 


!h  ^ 


1^ 


Oqui,  r/i.  rr4.  >7S.  i??- 

C^rani,  tij. 

Origuiil.  85. 

Orleans,  I  lie  d',  50,  193. 

Dtaguottouemin,  1 12. 

Otonabcc  River,  125. 

Ottawa,  City  of,  60,  67,  113. 

Ottawa  River, 55,61-3,  69,81,  112-114. 

Ouachegami,  1 15. 

Ouaouechkairini,  59. 

Ouentarotik,  124. 

Ouentouoronons,  209. 

Ouctcariny,  228. 

(Juefcliarini,  59,  81. 

Outaoukotoueniiouek,  1 13. 

Outartles,  48,  137. 

Outeloucos.  15-17,  32. 

Outimagami,  1 15. 

Outurbi,  115. 

Oxford,  220. 


P. 


Pacific  Ocean,  227. 

Pare.  Sieur  du,  10,  85,  192. 

l^aris,  35,  49,  50,  52,  97,  102,  103,  113, 

189,  203. 
Parkman,  Francis,  160. 
Parliamentary  Court  of  Rouen,  46. 
Partridges,  120. 
PaiTage  Courant,  226. 
PaflTage  de  Glas,  226. 
PafTage  du  Gas,  226 
Paul,  P^re,  203,  218. 
Pennant,  48. 
Pennfylvania,  122. 
Penfee  Ifle,  87,  191. 
Petite  Riviere,  12. 
Petuns,  144,  145.  149. 


Pickering  Charles,  M.  I).,  119,  120. 

Pigeons,  86. 

Pillet,  Charles,  193. 

Pillerinii,  148. 

Place  Royale,  11,  13-15. 

Plancius,  Peter,  219. 

Platon,  205. 

Pleffis,  Pacifiquedu,  Brother,  104,  106, 

110,  187,  203,  218. 
Plum,  Canada,  120. 
IMymouth,  162. 
Point  aux  Vaches,  47. 
I'oint  Callii;res,  12,  13. 
Pons,  35. 
Pont  Gravd,  9,  14,  24,  31,  34,  47,  105, 

106,  109,  III,  184,  187,189,203-205, 

207,  217. 
Pope,  Holy  Father,  I02. 
I'orcelain,  165. 
Porcupine  quills,  166. 
Portage  du  Fort,  63,  81. 
Portage  road,  old,  66. 
Port  aux  Anglois,  226. 
Port  aux  Coquilles,  226. 
Port  aux  Ides,  226. 
Port  aux  Mines,  226. 
Port  de  Savelette,  226. 
Port  du  Rofllgnol,  226,  228. 
Port  Fortune,  226. 
Port  Mouton,  228. 
Port  Royal,  8,  203,  225,  228. 
Port  Sainte  Hdlcne,  226. 
Potherie,    De  la,  12,  49,  50,  150. 
Poutrincourt,  Sieur  de,  8,  203. 
Preface  to  Journal  of  1615,  95. 

Q. 

Quebec,  9,  11,  33.  35-  36.  38,  45 1  46, 
49,50.  51.  106,  109,  no,  III,  119, 


Index. 


239 


142,  I gi.  192,  193,  198.  200,  203.  205, 

206.  216,  217. 
(jucnechouan,  56. 
Quenongebin,  58,  228. 
Quiciinontateroiions.  145. 
(^iiiiiil)C(iiii,  225. 


R. 


Ralihits,  13. 

Rapide  du  Itruffi.  56. 

Rapitio  (les  Chats,  62, 

Rafpbcrrics,  120.  162. 

Rave,  I'icrre,  216. 

Recollects,  101--103. 

Red  cedar,  63. 

Red  River,  151, 

Re.  I  Hand  of,  103. 

Relation  des  Jcfiiites,  58,  59,  62,   ir2, 

113.  lis,  117,  145,  146,  216. 
Rice  Lake,  125. 
Ride.iu  River,  60. 
Riviere  de  Cliamplain,  226. 
Riviere  de  I'llle  N'erte,  226. 
RiviC:re  de  Loup,  55. 
Rivit^re  de  Norumbei;iie,  225, 
Riviere  de  Petite  Nation,  59. 
Riviere  des  Etecliemins,  228. 
Rivicjre  des  I'rairies,  107,  no.  m,  112. 
Riviere  des  Yroquois,  228. 
Riviere  Platte,  22S. 
Riviere  Sainte  Marguerite,  226. 
Riviere  Sainte  Marie,  226. 
Rivitjre  St.  Laurent,  225. 
Riviere  St.  Pierre,  t2. 
River  Severn,  160. 
River  Trent,  125. 

Rochelle,  La,  10,  34,  35,  46,  54,  87. 
Rogueneau,  Pere,  (13. 
Rofe,  220. 


Rofs,  64. 

Rouen.  46,  47,  48,  87.  1 04,  105. 

RulVell,  A.  J.,  66,  81. 

S. 

Sagard,  (}ai)riel,  .jg,  62,  tot,  104.  105. 

'37,  '45'  M"^.  >H  '9'.  19;.  202,  203. 
S.iguoiiay,  38,  113 
Saint  iJarnabas'  Day,  8j. 
St.  Croi.x,  3S,  205,  225,  2j8. 
Saint  I-ltienne,  105. 
Saintes,  35. 
Saint  Jiilin,  River,  228. 
Saint  John's  Day,  191,  203. 
St.  Laurent,  226. 
Saint  Lawrence   River,  12.  38,  55,  59, 

62,  112.  122,  127,  156,157,  220,  226. 
Saint  Louis.  17. 
.St.  Louis,  Falls  of,  38.  51,  59, 
St.  Louis.  Lake.  55. 
Saint  Lt)uis,  Le  Grand  Sault,  12.  38. 
St.  .Maio,  37,  38,  46,  50,  51,  84.  87. 
Saint  Mary's  Strait.  117. 
St.  Maurice,  Rivtr.  59. 
Saint  Paul.  Island  of.  8. 
Saint  Peter's  River.  12. 
Sainte  Pierre.  1  Hands  of,  8. 
Saint  Pierre,  Riviere,  12. 
Sainttonge,  35. 
Salle,  de  la.  :oo. 
Sanfon.  Nicholas,  146. 
Safkatchewan  River,  rig. 
Sault,  228. 
Sauflaye,  iqo. 
Savignon.  15,  17.  25,  30. 
Scadding,  Henry,  D.D.,  66. 
Senecas,  209. 
Sefambre.  228, 
Shea,  John  Gilmary,  146,  151,  216. 


1 


240 


Index, 


\\ 


V' 


I'll 


I' « 


Shrove-Tuefrlay,  177. 

Sillcry,  54. 

Sillery,  Nicholas  Urulant  de,  54. 

Simcoe,  1 17,  120. 

Sinicoe  Ifland,  127,  » ,/. 

Sledges,  Indian,  143. 

Smith,  S.  D.,  of  Mexico,  N.  Y.,  128. 

Smith,  VV.  H.,  60. 

Snipe,  138. 

Soi lions,  L'omte  de.  44. 

SoilTons,  Lac  de,  5O. 

Song-thrudi,  137. 

South  Sea,  227. 

Spain.  54. 

Spaniards,  37,  220. 

Squaflies,  1 19,  165. 

Stags,  13.  157. 

Stofflerus.  66. 

Strawberries,  115,  120. 

Sturgeon  Lake,  124,  125. 

Sturgeon  River,  1 15. 

Sunflower,  119.  166. 

Susquehanna  Kiver,  208. 

Swallow  Sea,  190. 

Swans,  137. 


Tabagie,  51.  71,  72,  182. 

Tabvli  Navtica,  227. 

T.idouOac,  8-10.  14,  15,  30,  31,  34.  38, 

48.  31.  68.  87,   105,   106,   187,   191, 

203,  205,  217,  218,  228. 
Tecouehata,  33. 
Tjquenonquiaye,  118. 
Tims,  190. 

TelToiiat,  68,  69.  71,  75,  77,  79,  81. 
Thomas,  interpreter,  67,  76,  79. 
Tiliaut,  34. 
Timifcimi,  1 15. 
Tionnontateronons,  145. 


u 


Toronto,  66, 

Touagu.iinchain,  118. 

Trcgouaroli,  19. 

Tremlilaye,  Sicur  de,  50. 

Trefart.  10. 

Trois  KiviOres,    10,  33,  38,  191,  195, 

196,  198,  204-206,  217. 
Trofs,  Kdwin,  bookfeller,  104,  105. 
Tfonnoiitouans,  209. 
Turquie,  bid  de,  145. 
Two  Mountains,  Lake  of,  15,  26,  56. 

112,  228. 

U. 
Urbaldini,  Robert,  102. 


Verger,  Father  Bernard  du,  102,  103. 

Verrins,  54. 

Vignau,  Nicholas  de,  52,  53,  75. 

Vilin,  de  la  Motte  le,  190. 

Villages,  Indian,  145. 

Vimont,   I'cre  Barthelemy,  58,  59,  62, 

112,  115,  145. 
Virginias,  190. 
Voyages  to  New  France,  I-9,  47,  48, 

105.  189-191. 

W. 

Walker  and  Miles,  15. 
Wapiti,  85,  157. 
Waverly,  122. 
Weafels,  157. 
Whitefifh  Lake,  59. 
Whitfuntide,  54. 
Wolf,  13,  139,  157. 
Wolf  Ifland,  137. 


Yroquet,  Captain,  144.  149,  150,  155. 


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ii 


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